The SMILE Conference

Social Media Internet Law Enforcement

Richmond, Virginia, USA 

September 10-12, 2012

Chief Bryan T. Norwood and the men and women of the Richmond Police Department are our hosts. September 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th, 2012

The SMILE Conference™

–> THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONFERENCE

Adoption of social media by law enforcement is in a stage of exponential growth. Some law enforcement agencies have already experienced tremendous successes; while others are ready but don’t know how to get started. The law enforcement field is ready to add another weapon to its arsenal. The Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement (SMILE) conference will arm you with all the technical hands-on skills and the practical knowledge to enter the social media world with confidence.

The SMILE Conference is the leading conference devoted to Social Media, the Internet and Law Enforcement initiatives. The SMILE Conference has pioneered the adoption of social media by law enforcement agencies across the world for public outreach, crime prevention, and forensics. In conjunction with the ConnectedCOPS™ blog, The SMILE Conference has become both the go-to and most trusted source by law enforcement agencies worldwide.

–> A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON INFORMATION SHARING and HOMELAND SECURITY

The first day of the conference, attendees hear from law enforcement and communication professionals on topics of social media strategy, reputation management, policy and other issues pertaining to community outreach. This (the sixth) SMILE Conference will also emphasize information sharing and homeland security.

–> THE CONNECTEDCOPS AWARDS

The first annual ConnectedCOPS Awards will be presented at the Richmond SMILE Conference. Winners in six categories will be honored and their achievement recognized.

–> WHO’S SMILE’n

The current speaker line-up is still in development. We are working on an international mix of speakers who are the leading thinkers in this area. Our subject matter experts will lead delegates through three law-enforcement-specific and information-packed intense days of social media and Internet education.

–> WHO SHOULD ATTEND

From the Chief to the newest officer in the agency, Investigators, PIOs, SROs and Community Policing Officers, The SMILE Conference is appropriate for anyone who is interested in social media and its many applications in the field of law enforcement, community engagement and crime prevention. Agencies all over the world are achieving successes with social media tools in areas including community policing, recruitment and retention, investigations, crime prevention, reputation enhancement / management as well as others.

The SMILE Conference will address social media as community media, investigative techniques and cases studies, officer safety, social media policy and strategy, legal issues, recruitment and retention and will also offer a SMILE bootcamp of hands-on training every morning from 7:30-8:45. Plenary sessions run from 9-5.

–> SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM THE TYPICAL CONFERENCE FORMAT

The conference will also include one evening Town Hall meeting.

Tuesday Night - This Town Hall has proven to be one of the most popular events of the conference. It will provide everyone an opportunity to further explore and discuss at length issues concerning social media and law enforcement that could not be fully addressed during the plenary session. The Town Hall will be highly spirited, interactive and wrapped in a social media context.