Writers’ Police Academy 2015

L to R: Terri Reed, Debby Giusti, Margaret Daley,
Tina Radcliffe, Christy Reece, and Rhonda Starnes
Watch out WPA! Here we come!

By Debby Giusti

For the second year in a row, I’ve had the privilege of attending the Writers’ Police Academy—a favorite with suspense and mystery writers—and wanted to provide the Seekerville community with an overview of this amazing conference and what makes it so special. I’ve asked Tina Radcliffe, Rhonda Starnes, Margaret Daley, Terry Reed and Christy Reece to provide input as well.

According to the WPA’s website: 

The Writers’ Police Academy offers the most hands-on, interactive and educational experience writers can find to enhance their understanding of all aspects of law enforcement and forensics. This is a one of a kind event, featuring real police, fire, and EMS training at an actual police academy.

Registration for the WPA fills up fast, often within hours. Some classes and activities require advance signup, such as ride-alongs, jail tours, JAWS of life extraction and MILO shoot/don’t shoot simulation, but the majority of workshops are open to all those attending and are offered a number of times throughout the weekend. I filled a spiral bound notebook with information and wished I would have had time to take all the classes…but that’s why folks go back year after year.

Could this fireman be a hero in your story?

The WPA is the brainchild of retired law enforcement officer Lee Lofland (check out his blog, The Graveyard Shift). For the last seven years, Lee has been the coordinator and driving force behind this one-of-a-kind, interactive opportunity for writers.Throughout the year, Lee recruits experts in all areas of law enforcement, fire and EMS rescue to present workshops. In addition to classroom sessions, those attending have access to live demonstrations, tactical scenarios as well as hands-on opportunities to experience law enforcement in action.

The goal is to come away with a better understanding of the men and women in uniform so writers can “get it right” when they feature public safety personnel in their stories. Not only does the staff and faculty share information about the various jobs within law enforcement, but they also provide a behind-the-scenes look at what drives and motivates them, their successes, their joys but also their frustrations and even their failures. Writers learn what makes those who wear the uniform unique and heroic as well as the struggles that come with the job.

  

L to R: Margaret Daley, Tina Radcliffe, Terri Blackstock
and Debby Giusti
Terri sat across from me on my flight from Atlanta to
Appleton. She's an amazing author and a lovely lady!

This year, the WPA was held at the Fox Valley Technical College and Public Safety Training Center in Appleton, Wisconsin. The 78-acre campus trains police, fire and EMS recruits and includes a firing range, six-story burn building, forced entry building, a scenario village, a Boeing 727, an emergency driving course and skid path, in addition to indoor classrooms and training areas.

The Fox Valley Technical College Campus

The conference is fast paced and packed with information. Those attending WPA 2015, nearly 300 writers, arrived at the Radisson Hotel in Appleton on Thursday afternoon in time to pick up registration packets. Some folks, like Tina, headed off for ride-alongs while the rest of us attended a talk and demonstration on 3D Crime Scene Mapping. The next morning we boarded buses and left the hotel at 7:30 am and were on the go all day, returning just before dinner. Later that night we had a K9 demonstration, involving a take down and arrest. Saturday was an equally full day and included a talk by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan on how to “Get It Right.” Saturday concluded with a banquet and speech by 2015 Special Guest, NY Times bestselling author Karin Slaughter. A two-hour Q&A with the law enforcement faculty ended the 2015 event at noon on Sunday. Those attending went home tired but happy about what they learned and experienced.

Charlie's Angels pose for a photo shoot after they do a
building search. But wait! Is that Debby Giusti?
What's up?

Here's a peek at a few of the classes I attended:

Espionage, Cons and the Anatomy of Betrayal. The session was taught by a former undercover cop who still keeps a low profile and asked that no one circulate his picture on the Web. He talked about his “life on the street” that successfully brought down a NYC drug ring. He showed real footage of various drug deals and tactical operations that led to arrests.

The instructor talked about dressing down while undercover and wearing clothes that were offensive and unwashed. He marked his veins with graphite pencil to look like tracks and cautioned that drug dealers don’t want to work with flamboyant folks, instead they’re looking for someone who’s not imposing and isn’t a threat to them.

           

K-9 Arrest Scenario

An Insider’s View to the World of Women in Law Enforcement: The first female officer hired in Lodi, California talked about the beginning days of women in law enforcement and some of the problems they still face. Slender and petite, she shared the tactics she used to subdue and control suspects who were twice her size. She also provided a real look at prostitution and what she her job entailed working as an undercover hooker.  

Something we discovered outside the classroom...
Wisconsin Cheese Curds! YUM!

From Crime Scene to Autopsy. Coroner Amanda Thomas shared photos and information about her job and what she has seen and experienced at various crime scenes over the years. As coroner, she orders autopsies and toxicology tests on body fluids, takes samples, calls the funeral home and notifies the family.             

Bloodstain Pattern Investigation Class.

Interview and Interrogation. This workshop went into the tactics and techniques used by investigators in what the instructor called a "psychological fight" between the suspect and interrogating officer. To get a confession, an investigator needs to convince the suspect that it’s in his or her best interest to confess.

Debby's in jail!

I also attended classes on Forensic Art and Witness Recall, the SWAT Experience, and Fingerprinting 101 and participated in the Building Searches/Door Breaching live scenario and toured the mock-up jail on campus.  

Margaret Daley's ready to join the SWAT team!

USA Today Bestselling Author Margaret Daley, had this to say about her experience: “The absolute best thing I did in the name of research is going to the Writer’s Police Academy. This year was my second time—the other two years ago. Every class was full of information I can use in a book (or not—remember not all your research goes into the story or it would read as a non-fiction book). While at the police academy (in a real police academy with police, fire and paramedics training at the same time), I cleared a building looking for suspects and learned different things from what a SWAT team does to teaming with a police K-9. My favorite class was learning about virus and bacteria that can be modified and used to kill someone (example anthrax). Fascinating information.”

Christy Reece snapped these photos at one of the K-9
demonstrations. As you might imagine, the dogs stole the show!

NYT Bestselling Author Christy Reece was equally as enthused: “WPA was so much more than I expected. I'd heard from other writers about their positive experiences and as a romantic suspense author I knew it would be helpful. It was so much more. The instructors were excellent, professional but approachable. The Fox Valley training facility was the perfect venue. I learned so much and left the beautiful town of Appleton, Wisconsin, inspired and motivated. I recommend WPA for all writers who want to learn more about all aspects of law enforcement. I will definitely be returning next year!” 

Tina Radcliffe sporting a new hat and ready for any
emergency! 

Award winning author Tina Radcliffe provided her favorite tips from the Fire Fundamentals session she attended:

1. Fire personnel wear shorts and a t-shirt under their gear. (Turnout coat and pants.)
2. When a fireman/ woman dons a mask they have no peripheral vision.
3. Firemen are not allowed to have whiskers (ala Chicago Fire characters) That would be considered unfit for duty. The mask cannot properly seal on the face if the face is not clean shaven.
4. A firetruck has a ladder. An engine has no ladder.

Tina Radcliffe (L) and Terri Reed (R)

Award winning Love Inspired Suspense author Terri Reed added the following: "The Writer’s Police Academy is a must for any writer who wants to depict the various law enforcement and emergency personnel in a realistic and believable manner. I was overwhelmed with the professional knowledge of the instructors and the variety of classes offered. I enjoyed the K-9 demonstrations. I was able to ride in a fire truck which was awesome and learned the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine. I cleared a smoke filled room (filled with theatrical smoke). The smoke was more disorienting than darkness, which was not what I expected. I also was able to meet many fabulous writers whose work I admire. There was no way to attend every session so I’ll definitely be going back. I can’t wait until next year!"

Rhonda Starnes in the restraining chair!
What did you do, Rhonda?

Suspense writer Rhonda Starnes had this to say about her experience: "My number one take away from the Writers’ Police Academy was don’t rely on television shows and movies for your facts when it comes to writing crime scenes. This was repeated over and over again throughout the weekend, and it was reinforced when instructors taught us proper procedures.

"What did I learn at WPA? Fingerprints aren’t washed away by rain, blood splatters that have been “cleaned up” will have more of a fireworks type pattern when Luminol is applied, and I really want to write a book with a SWAT team hero who wears glasses. LOL!" 

The SWAT hero in Rhonda Starnes' next story!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the photos and have a better idea of what writers experience at the WPA! To learn more, visit the WPA website. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the home page and sign up for their newsletter and Facebook page.

Fingerprinting class! 

What types of hands-on research have you done in your local area? Does your police force offer a Citizen’s Police Academy or any other program that brings law enforcement and citizens together? Does the WPA sound like a conference you'd like to attend? Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a copy of my latest Love Inspired Suspense, PERSON OF INTEREST, and a $10 Starbucks' gift certificate! 

God bless the men and women in
law enforcement and all our first responders!

The men and women I met at the WPA were a cut above. They selflessly sacrifice their own well-being to protect and defend the citizens they serve! Recently, our brave men and women in uniform have come under attack. I mourn those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and pray for the safety of all law enforcement, fire and emergency rescue personnel. May the Lord protect them and keep them in His care.

Wishing you abundant blessings!

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

PERSON OF INTEREST

By Debby Giusti

WOMAN ON THE RUN

While babysitting a young servicewoman’s infant, Natalie Frazier hears a murder in the neighboring army duplex. Convinced her former commander is behind the crime, the ex-soldier bolts with the baby. But who will believe her story? Army investigator Everett Kohl deals only with the facts, but this time his gut instincts can’t be denied. Is the attractive Natalie a cunning killer, as his ranking officers believe, or an innocent victim? Ordered to bring her in, Everett has a decision to make. Helping her could cost him his job…but not protecting  Natalie and the baby could get all of them killed…

Order your copy in digital or print format: Amazon.

Also, available in digital format, COFFEE SHOP ROMANCES, featuring "Stolen Kisses."