MORE THAN 9,000 TAKE IN THIS YEAR’S GOVSEC SHOW IN D.C.
This year’s GOVSEC show, held in conjunction with the U.S. LAW and READY shows in Washington D.C. on May 25 and 26, attracted more than 9,300 attendees and 500 exhibitors.
The show featured keynote and special speaking engagements by Tommy Thompson, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Rep. Christopher Cox, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security; Charles S. Phalen Jr., assistant director of the FBI’s security division; and Richard Clarke, counterterrorism czar under the past three Presidents.
“GOVSEC, U.S. LAW and READY provide valuable information for me as both an operator and trainer” says Sergeant John Converse of the Rockville, Md., police department.
In addition to the guest speakers, the shows featured several special events, including a recruiting pavilion featuring 15 prominent companies. There were a combined 24 educational sessions covering topics ranging from “Digital Forensics: Analyzing Information You Cannot See” and “Combating Identity Theft” to “Promoting Career Development for Emergency Responders” and “Case Study in Physical Security: Super Bowl XXXIX.”
The U.S. LAW show featured the Mid-Atlantic regional qualifying event of the Law Enforcement Officer Performance and Reaction Drill, also known as the LEOPARD Challenge. The challenge is a competition based on physical skills routinely encountered in the law enforcement setting. It demonstrates the highest level of police officer fitness, giving participants a chance to race against the clock and each other and sequentially negotiate a series of linked policing tasks. The 2005 U.S. National Championships will be televised on ESPN.
Donny Nelson of Ft. Belvoir MP achieved the top time of 1:14:88 at the LEOPARD event, the first qualifier of the season. Kurt Godfrey and Trent Tolsen of Prince George’s County spent most of the afternoon battling it out for first place in the over-40 category.
Next year’s GOVSEC, U.S. LAW and READY shows will be held again at the Washington Convention Center, April 26-27, 2006.