National Center for Policing Innovation (NCPI)

Join us in wishing our Project Manager, Jim Daly, a happy birthday! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and everything you do. We hope you have a fantastic day!

As we do each quarter, NCPI recently convened the CIT ASSIST Community of Practice, bringing together individuals and agencies from across the country that are working to improve outcomes for those experiencing a mental health crisis to connect and learn from each other. This session featured two powerful Peer-to-Peer Insights presentations. Detective Samantha Brown Hoyt from the Brooklyn Park Police Department (MN) Community Health Unit shared how her team collaborated with NCPI and the COPS Office to update and upgrade their data collection and analysis infrastructure, which allows them to more efficiently and effectively serve their community. Chief Greg O’Rourke and CIT Coordinator Kelly Johnson, LCSW, from the Yurok Tribal Police Department (CA) led a powerful discussion on trauma-informed policing and CIT implementation in Indian Country. A huge thank you to our presenters for their dedication to improving public safety and crisis response!

This National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week we would like to encourage law enforcement professionals to enroll in the “Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) Refresher” course. We collaborated with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA and the COPS Office to develop this on-demand course that supports law enforcement practitioners in their efforts to effectively assess impaired drivers at roadside. As a refresher, the course reinforces the key concepts presented in the full, 16-hour, instructor-led ARIDE course. For those communities with no DREs or limited access to their services, this course helps officers make informed decisions related to testing and documentation of drug-impaired driving cases. Enroll now!

This National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, we’re highlighting the “Expert Insights: Testifying in Court as a Drug Recognition Expert” eLearning course. NCPI collaborated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA, the COPS Office, and several law enforcement and prosecutorial professionals to create this training, which is available on-demand, at no cost. Explore the role of the DRE witness, fundamental courtroom rules and processes, case file preparation, and personal preparation, and more. Enroll now!

March 17th-March 23rd is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week. Law enforcement plays a crucial role in confronting substance use and ensuring the safety of our communities. As we observe National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, let's reinforce our commitment to education, prevention, and intervention. By working together, we can support those in need of assistance. Our gratitude goes out to all the dedicated officers who work to protect and serve!

Happy Birthday, Michele Semko!?As NCPI’s Director of Finance, Shelly's leadership plays a critical role in ensuring the efficiency and integrity of our financial operations. From managing accounts payable to overseeing grant and contractual finances with care and diligence, her expertise keeps our programs running smoothly and successfully. Shelly’s exceptional organization, time management, and communication skills are invaluable to our team, and we are truly grateful for her dedication. Today, we celebrate Shelly and the incredible impact she has on NCPI. Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Shelly. Thank you for all that you do!

Happy Birthday to Jessica H.! Jess brings dedication and drive to NCPI every day. From developing engaging web-based training to supporting our learning systems, she plays a key role in helping public safety professionals nationwide. Her problem-solving skills, teamwork, and passion for innovation shine in both her behind-the-scenes work and client-facing efforts. We’re so grateful to have her on our team! Wishing you a fantastic birthday, Jess!

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and we're proud to share an on-demand course we developed in collaboration with the COPS Office, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA, local public safety practitioners, self-advocates, and members of the I/DD community. “Better Encounters: Police and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)” enhances law enforcement professionals’ ability to recognize and support individuals with I/DD during traffic stops and other exchanges in the community. It is designed to help officers identify behaviors characteristic of those with I/DD, develop strategies for positive interactions, and improve situational awareness and decision-making. We encourage you to enroll and share this course with your colleagues this month!

Happy Birthday to Adam Wojcicki! As NCPI’s Deputy Director, Adam provides invaluable leadership and guidance to our staff. He serves as chief content manager responsible for the research, development, and production of NCPI’s instructional and programmatic content. Dedicated to quality and with a passion for continuous learning, Adam applies his expertise and forward-thinking approach to every one of our programs. His leadership in adult learning and innovative curriculum design processes ensures that public safety professionals across the country receive top-tier education and resources. Wishing him a fantastic year ahead filled with success and new opportunities. Enjoy your day, Adam!

Today we’re wishing a Happy Birthday to Brittany Van Dao! Brittany shares her talents and expertise as NCPI’s Digital Content and Engagement Specialist, leading our in-person and online marketing efforts, and so much more. She plays a vital role in NPCI’s outreach to the nation’s public safety community, with a constant commitment to sharing how our programs, resources and services support both professional development and organizational growth. We are grateful for the innovative perspective and attention to detail that Brittany brings to every project. Here’s to a wonderful birthday and many more!