National Conference

You're Invited to The
American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda ALpha Epsilon
2024 National Conference
Celebrating Our 86th Year!

LOUISVILLE, KY | MARCH 2023
More Details Coming Soon

Welcome to LOUISVILLE, KY

The following sections will be updated in fall 2022 to reflect the upcoming 2023 conference in Louisville.
More information will be available shortly.

KCMO: The Heart of the Midwest

Online Registration

Hotel Information

Travel Information:

Venue: Embassy Suites by Hilton – Kansas City International Airport
Address: 7640 NW Tiffany Springs Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64153
Phone: (816) 891-7788

Conference Room Rate:

$139.00/night (taxes and fees included)
Must be booked by February 26, 2022 for group discount rate.

Hotel Booking with Conference Discount Code:

HOTEL BOOKING LINK - GROUP RATE

Speakers & Workshops

Conference Theme: Current Issues in Criminal Justice & Policing

CHOOSING COURAGE OVER AVOIDANCE
SPEAKER: MATTHEW HORACE

Matthew Horace is an internationally recognized homeland security, leadership, and criminal justice expert. He currently serves as the Chief Security Officer of the Mayo Clinic. In this executive role he is responsible for the safety and security of Mayo’s employee’s contractors and facilities in the United States and abroad. He is a former federal law enforcement executive and police officer having ascended to the Senior Executive Service (SES) rank in the United States Department of Justice managing local, regional, national, and international investigations. During his career, he worked in every state in the United States and a many foreign countries. He has also served as a paid on-air subject matter expert on homeland security and law enforcement/criminal justice with CNN, NBC, CBS and ABC and wrote for The Wall Street Journal Crisis of the Week Column. A well regarded and highly energizing speaker, he has also been an adjunct professor and guest lecturer at universities and colleges. After transitioning from the government, he has held three separate C-Suite executive roles leading people, process and technology and focusing on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Horace recently published the critically acclaimed The Black and the Blue, A Cop Reveals the Crimes Racism and Injustice in America’s Law Enforcement.

A standout student athlete at Delaware State University he was afforded a tryout with the New York Giants. Horace earned a BA in English from Delaware State University, and an MA in Human Resources Leadership and Training from Seton Hall University. Horace also created The Horace Foundation Endowed Scholarship for Criminal Justice Studies at DSU in honor of three DSU students who were killed on a Newark, NJ playground. Horace is passionate about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, moving individuals and organizations from where they are to where they are going and building inclusive teams. His mantras are “Carpe Diem” and “Be Intentional”.

Horace credits many of his life’s successes to lessons he learned as a college and professional athlete mentoring and sponsorship and challenges us all to “Choose Courage over Avoidance”.

Horace has held governance, board and leadership positions in a number of national and international organizations. He is a member of The International Association of Chiefs of Police, The National Organization of Black Law enforcement Executives, The Minnesota State Association of Chiefs of Police Foundation, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and a number of community focused not-for-profit organizations.

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT
SPEAKERS: AN EXONEREE AND STAFF FROM THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

In 1992, Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld realized that if DNA technology could prove people guilty of crimes, it could also prove that people who had been wrongfully convicted were innocent. So they started the Innocence Project as a legal clinic at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Since then, DNA testing and analysis has become vital to exonerating innocent people and driving criminal justice reform. Decades of data on DNA-related and non-DNA exonerations expose systemic vulnerabilities. The Innocence Project fights to redress these systemic issues through strategic litigation, policy reform, and education.

Those proven to have been wrongfully convicted through post-conviction DNA testing spent, on average, more than 14 years behind bars. The agony of prison life and the complete loss of freedom are only compounded by the feelings of what might have been.

Hear the compelling stories of justice and injustice in our criminal justice system from an exoneree who was proven innocent by The Innocence Project years after their conviction. Learn about the complexities and challenges of the criminal justice system and the fallacies with various types of evidence.

Additional Events

The ACJA-LAE National Conference is the premiere networking opportunity for professionals, practitioners, and students alike.

Opening Banquet

Kick-off the conference with an engaging icebreaker and our opening banquet and network with other students and professionals.

Career Fair

Meet dozens of employers representing law enforcement, forensics, investigations, corrections, corporate security, public service, and more!

Awards Ceremony & Banquet

Recognizing your achievements, ACJA's annual awards ceremony highlights the best of the best. Also included: raffle, honors, and a post-awards dance.

Networking Opportunities

ACJA-LAE is the only professional association in this field serving both practitioners and students. Connect with fellow members from around the nation.

Star Member Reception

Star Membership is the association's highest honor. Meet and greet with the star members, enjoy hor d'oeuvres, and network with nationwide members.

Talent Show / Lip-Sync

Each conference we enjoy our annual talent show / lip-sync event for a night of fun and surprises. Join us for some memorable performances.

Competitive Events

Conference Registration includes complimentary access to participate in all competitive events. Each event is optional, at the participant's discretion.

Academic Competitions

Vertical Divider

A staple of the ACJA-LAE National Conference, the academic competitions challenge participants to be highly knowledgeable and well-rounded.

Each exam is comprised of 75 multiple-choice questions covering a wide breadth of material.

Criminal Law

Criminal Law

Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
Textbook:
- Criminal Law Today, 7th edition
  ISBN: 9780137641376
  Author Frank Schmalleger
  Publisher: Pearson
  Copyright: 2022

Police Management

Police Management & Operations

Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
Textbook:
- The Police in America: An introduction 10th Edition
  ISBN: 9781260236996
  Author: Samuel Walker and Charles Katz
  Publisher: McGraw Hill
  Copyright: 2022

Juvenile Justice

Juvenile Justice

Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
Textbook:
- Juvenile Justice: An Introduction, 9th Edition
  ISBN: 9780815358442
  Author John Whitehead and Steven Lab
  Publisher: Routledge Publishers
  Copyright: 2018

Corrections

Corrections

Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
Textbook:
- Corrections in the 21st Century, 9th Edition
- ISBN: 9781260805253
  Author: Frank Schmalleger and John Smykla
  Publisher: McGraw Hill
  Copyright: 2021

ACJA/LAE Knowledge

ACJA/LAE Knowledge

Format: 75 multiple-choice questions

Reference:

National Bylaws
National Standing Rules
National Brochure
ACJA/LAE History
National Oath & Symbolism Booklet
ACJA Website Content

Homeland & National Security

Homeland & National Security

Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
Textbook:
- Introduction to Homeland Security, 3rd Edition
  ISBN:9781032011110
  Author: David H. McElreath, Daniel Adrian Doss,
  Barbara Russo, Greg Etter, Jeffrey Van Slyke,
  Joseph Skinner, Michael Corey, Carl J. Jensen III,
  Michael Wigginton, Jr., Robert Nations
  Publisher: CRC Press
  Copyright:2021
(NEW) This pilot exam is authorized for 2022 at the request of members to broaden our academic subjects and better reflect the evolving discipline of criminal justice. This exam does not count towards the Sweepstakes or Top Academic awards in Kansas City 2022. Depending on member feedback, the Board may determine to establish this as a standing exam or explore other subjects within the criminal justice field for future conferences.

Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology

Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
Textbook:
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Research and
  Application, 6th edition
  ISBN: 9781071815328
  Author: Curtis Bartol and Anne Bartol
  Publisher: Sage Publications
  Copyright: 2021
(NEW) This pilot exam is authorized for 2022 at the request of members to broaden our academic subjects and better reflect the evolving discipline of criminal justice. This exam does not count towards the Sweepstakes or Top Academic awards in Kansas City 2022. Depending on member feedback, the Board may determine to establish this as a standing exam or explore other subjects within the criminal justice field for future conferences.

Crime Scene Investigation Competition

The Crime Scene Investigation competition is designed to test preliminary investigative skills in a situation which requires an eye for detail, thorough notes, and a diligent investigative mindset.

Hotel rooms are generally used for this event, acting as a site where a simulated crime has occurred. Participants will compete in three-member teams. Teams may consist of individuals from more than one chapter. Teams will be sent to the scene of the crime in their pre-registered time slot. Each team will have a maximum of fifteen 15 minutes to complete their on-scene investigation. The team will then go into a controlled environment to prepare their written report for no longer than 45 minutes. Teams will be judged on their narrative report, evidence log, crime scene map, and other factors.

Details regarding the 2022 Crime Scene Investigation Competition are forthcoming.

Physical Agility Competition

The Physical Agility Competition is an obstacle course similar to those employed in police academies and field operations training. This competition is segmented by age and gender, with the top three competitors awarded in each category. Winners are determined by the shortest time to complete the event. Penalty time may be added for failed or missed obstacles.

Details regarding the 2022 Physical Agility Competition are forthcoming.

Firearms Competition

Range Location: Frontier Justice in Kansas City

Range Notes:

A shuttle will be available to the range from the hotel venue.
Rentals are $15 per caliber, and ammo is currently around $22 per box for 9mm (this number is subject to change based on availability). Ammo available onsite: https://frontier-justice.com/product-category/ammunition/handgun-ammo/
Firearms rentals are not available for those under 21. Competitors 18-20 with their own firearm will be admitted.

Reference:

Firearms National Competition Standards
Firearms Range Safety Rules
Firearms Competition Course of Fire
Safety Briefing PowerPoint Presentation

Safety Reminders:

Safety is of the utmost importance. There’s no question: safety is the top priority in all aspects of our conference, especially when firearms are considered. We have a successful track record and continue to affirm the safety standards that have been outlined in the National Competition Standards.
Range safety rules will be strictly enforced; participants are expected to know and follow all safety precautions and operations at all times.
There are no changes to the firearms events, course of fire, trophies, or standards this year.
All participants in the Firearms competition must have completed a nationally or state-recognized firearms safety course and/or carry a state firearms license or permit.
- 12/15/2021: A government-issued law enforcement officer badge does suffice and meets this criteria. ✓
Be prepared when you arrive at the range:
- participants must bring a copy of their qualifying safety documentation and qualifying score attestation for inspection by the range staff in order to compete
- arrive prepared with all required supplies and clothing, per the firearms competition guidelines
- present your signed competition liability waiver (copies will be available and disseminated to all competitors)

ACADEMIC RESEARCH POSTERS

(NEW) The newest addition to the ACJA-LAE National Conference is an Academic Research Poster display, alongside our career fair.

This event offers an unprecedented opportunity to conduct research in an area of interest and publish your findings. Display your poster at our National Conference and network with professionals, students, recruiters, and advisors with shared interests.

Details:

All members are invited to bring an academic research poster to display alongside our Career Fair.
Topics may relate to any subject pertinent to criminal justice and associated fields.
The academic research posters will be scored by practitioners and/or professionals present at the career fair.
Certificates will be awarded to the top three research posters for Lower, Upper, and Graduate divisions.

GOLD SPONSORS

Auburn University at Montgomery

The Department of Criminal Justice at Auburn University at Montgomery offers a Master of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

All classes and course requirements are completed online. Visit Homeland Security and Emergency Management (MS) - AUM for more information!

Resources

Kansas City Travel Guide

Employer Justification Letter

In Development

Student Travel Justification