Every year, the Florida Sheriffs Association is the host of two widely attended sheriffs’ conferences. This year’s first event, the Sheriffs 2022 Winter Conference, was held on January 23-26 at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Duval County, Florida.

The law enforcement conference is attended by sheriffs throughout the state each year, but with nearly 500 attendees, it’s also attended by command staff, office personnel, law enforcement agency officials, sponsors, partners, exhibitors, elected officials and guests.

The event is always dynamic and packed with opportunities for continuing education, association news, important law enforcement updates and networking.

Here are a few highlights of this year’s Sheriffs Winter Conference.

Education and Training

Sheriffs at this year’s conference had the opportunity to receive valuable education and training. Panelists presented on the benefits of maintaining good overall health, both mental and physical. Speakers on the topic of mental health included Orlando Police Department Captain Lovetta Quinn-Henry, Orange County Sheriff John Mina, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivy and Erin Martin of Aspire Health Partners.

In addition, conference attendees enjoyed dynamic leadership training with Dr. Kevin Elko, an author, speaker, coach and former consultant for multiple NFL and NCAA teams and Fortune 500 companies.

Important Updates

Another important aspect of the Sheriffs Winter Conference is the opportunity to hear important updates from agencies across the state (and beyond). This year, attendees received updates from agencies such as the Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

They also received specific law enforcement-related messages from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz. Attendees also heard updates from National Sheriff’s Association President, Sheriff Vernon Stanforth, and Vice President, Sheriff Greg Champagne, on state, federal and national issues.

Awards and Recognition

The Awards Banquet offers some of the most touching moments of the conference. Each year, awards are presented to individuals deemed to have gone above and beyond in the field. This year’s recipients were Miami-Dade Police Dispatcher Rebeca Sanchez, who was named 2022 Dispatcher of the Year for her great skill and composure during a difficult event, and Flagler County Deputy First Class (DFC) Paul Luciano, who was posthumously awarded the 2022 Corrections Officer of the Year for his dedication to service and the ultimate sacrifice he made to serve his community. The award was accepted by DFC Luciano’s family on his behalf.

Sponsors and Services

In addition, those who attended this year’s Sheriffs Winter Conference had the opportunity to meet with a number of vendors and FSA partners. These vendors provide vital products and services to law enforcement across the state.

Florida’s Best in Law Enforcement

Each year, the Sheriffs Winter Conference brings together Florida’s best in the field of law enforcement to participate in networking, training and planning. It is a valuable time to reflect on the values and goals of the association, and to recognize those who unite in purpose and voice for the protection of Florida’s citizens and visitors.

If you are interested in more information regarding the sheriffs’ conference, please visit this page to sign up for alerts when information becomes available. In the meantime, you can also subscribe to our free weekly e-Newsletter to learn about other upcoming FSA events.