Use of Force: A Panel Discussion and Fashion Show - Highlighting Officer Safety Considerations

SESSION INFO

Tuesday, August 20, 2019
3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Session Type: Workshop

This panel discussion and fashion show is made possible by a partnering of Ten-Four Clothing and other companies that specialize in safety attire and tools for probation/parole officers. Kicking off the session will be a panel of probation and parole leaders and safety experts who will discuss safety considerations for probation and parole officers. Many agencies in the U.S. have been increasing the amount of training for officers on use of personal safety tools and defensive tactics, with the aim of improving officer safety. This panel will discuss industry-best practices specifically related to probation and parole. Other panel topics will include policy considerations, public perception, and addressing workplace culture resistance. The accompanying fashion show will present clothing and other items for men and women that will highlight specialized functionality that can assist officers wearing multiple safety tools while on duty.

SESSION PRESENTERS

Alisha Shoates James
Sr. Vice President at Aventiv Technologies, TN Department of Correction


Alisha Shoates James began her law enforcement career with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) in January 2005. After working patrol for several years, she was selected to join the Crime Suppression Unit (CSU). While working in the CSU as an undercover detective, Alisha participated in numerous criminal investigations, obtained and served search warrants, participated in undercover narcotics operations, participated in undercover prostitution operations, and conducted surveillance. All of which resulted in several state and federal convictions. In 2010, Alisha was selected to join the elite trainee operations division at the MNPD’s training academy. She assisted with operating a paramilitary style academy that included: physical fitness instruction, classroom instruction on various subjects, and assisting with firearms and defensive tactics for police recruits. In August 2011, Alisha joined United States Probation and Pretrial (USPO) Middle District of Tennessee, which is a fully accredited federal law enforcement agency. During her tenure working for the United States District Courts, she conducted investigations and prepared reports that included recommendations for sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses. Investigations Alisha served as a firearms instructor, non-lethal training ammunitions instructor, and assisted with defensive tactics and scenario based training for all sworn officers. Alisha has made a name for herself in the field of law enforcement and probation/parole, on the front lines and behind the scenes. She transitioned to the Tennessee Department of Correction in 2014 as a Probation Administrator and was appointed to serve as the Assistant Commissioner for Community Supervision in 2016. During her appointment, she has employed innovative methods to communicate her vision for the future of community supervision through the increased usage of social media. Her drive helped the probation and parole division to become one of the few to receive national accreditation from the American Correctional Association (ACA). In the fall of 2018 she was elected to serve as an ACA Commissioner for Adult Corrections after serving for two years as delegate for Adult Probation and Post-Release Supervision. She is a 2018 recipient of law enforcement Top 40 Under 40 awarded by the International Chiefs of Police Association.