The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) has concluded its successful 31st Annual Tactical Operations Conference & Trade Show, drawing in nearly 700 students from across the country, many of whom were first-time attendees and featuring more than 200 exhibitors at its two-day trade show. The event was held at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama Sept. 21st – 26th, 2014.
The five day event began with a welcome from Chief of Police James H. Barber and Mayor William “Sandy” Stimpson from the city of Mobile during the General Session. Attendees were also provided with an update from NTOA Western Region Director Thor Eells on the hot button topic of militarization of law enforcement and the recent efforts NTOA has made to represent its members on this issue in Washington, D.C.
Other events included the annual 5K Fun Run and Barbecue, held at the Mardi Gras Museum and sponsored by Point Blank Enterprises. Funds raised from the event directly benefit NTOA’s James Torkar Educational Scholarship Fund, which is designed to provide college funding for tuition and other eligible expenses to dependent children of active NTOA “Individual” members. Applications can be submitted from Nov. 1, 2014 – April 1, 2015.
NTOA’s popular SWAT Call Out Dinners were held for the tenth consecutive year, treating 10 groups of students, along with sponsors and NTOA representatives, to dinner and conversation at various restaurants in Mobile.
The conference portion of the event was comprised of more than 12 practical and 23 seminar classes. Members had the opportunity to attend several new course offerings, including the Tactical Robot and Maritime Operations courses.
The Annual Banquet featured Keynote Speaker Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General David Pearlman. The banquet served as NTOA’s opportunity to recognize significant achievements that have occurred throughout the law enforcement special operations community. NTOA Awards, such as the John Kolman Award of Excellence, NTOA Unit Citation for Valor and Spirit of NTOA Award, were presented to recipients who were nominated by their peers.
After the presentation of awards, raffle prizes were presented to several attendees, donated generously by Armored Mobility, Gander Mountain, GLOCK®, POF USA, RoboteX, Ruger and US Optics, among others. NTOA recognizes and thanks the Mobile Police Department, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, South Baldwin Regional SWAT Team and the Alabama Department of Public Safety for their contributions to the conference.
“I attended the NTOA Conference held in Mobile, Alabama, and was blown away by the experience. I have enjoyed being a member of the group and having access to the knowledge base that has been created by all the members and staff,” commented Bobby Walker, Security Analyst for Huntington Ingalls Industries. “Having actually attended the conference, I was impressed with the level of professionalism that the NTOA brings to the table and instills in its members. I attended a great class while there and met some outstanding instructors. I was also impressed by the work that the NTOA does on a legislative level.”
The 32nd Annual Tactical Operations Conference and Trade Show will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah Aug. 30th – Sept. 4th, 2015. Visit www.ntoa.org for updates on the conference and online registrations.
For more information on the National Tactical Officers Association visit www.ntoa.org or call 800-279-9127.
