Wednesday | 12/10/2025

**All Courses will be held in Pine Room, unless otherwise noted**

"MSA Updates" | 8:00 - 8:30 AM

Description:

Hear about the latest news from MSA.

Presenters:

MSA Executive Director Jim Stuart

"2026 Legislative Priorities & Updates" | 8:30 - 9:30 AM

Presenters:

Bill Hutton and Christine Zimmer, MSA Legislative Affairs

"The EQ Edge" | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Description: Law enforcement leaders make thousands of decisions each day—but how many are shaped by emotion, stress, or simply conscious thought? This powerful session dives into how emotional intelligence (EI) directly impacts decision-making, leadership effectiveness, and team morale.

Backed by research and real-world experience, Patrick Esser explores how the EQ-i 2.0 model provides a framework for understanding and improving how we manage ourselves and relate to others. Learn why 93% of officers believe their personal wellness directly affects job performance—and how emotional intelligence is a proven solution.

Through relatable stories, practical tools, and the ABCDE Model from The EQ Edge, you’ll discover how to pause, reflect, and respond more effectively—especially in high-stakes or emotionally charged situations.

This session is designed for executive and command-level personnel seeking to boost morale, enhance communication, and build resilient teams. Whether you're leading a shift, a division, or an entire agency, this presentation will leave you with actionable takeaways to improve culture, reduce burnout, and elevate performance across the board.

Presenter:

Patrick Esser is the founder of Esser Growth Principles. He has a strong commitment to sharing the transformative power of emotional intelligence and leadership coaching with emerging leaders in the law enforcement community, business executives, and anyone else looking to make a positive change in their life.

With over 25 years of dedicated service at a large sheriff’s office in Wisconsin, currently serving as the deputy inspector, Patrick is a seasoned law enforcement professional whose career has been defined by leadership, innovations, and a deep commitment to public safety. A graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy (#274) and National Command and Staff College (#002), Patrick has honed his skills in high-level law enforcement training and strategy. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Marian University and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia.

Patrick’s career trajectory includes serving as the Commander of the Criminal Investigation Division, where his strategic oversight led to the successful resolution of complex criminal cases. His experience also spans several key roles, including Field Training Officer and SWAT Sniper, where his skills and discipline earned him recognition as a trusted leader in both tactical and operational capacities.

An award recipient for his contributions to law enforcement, Patrick is widely respected for his innovative approach to problem-solving, consistently finding new ways to enhance efficiency, safety and community engagement. As a husband and father of two teenagers, he brings a well-rounded perspective to his professional endeavors, balancing his commitment to public service with his dedication to family.

"One Decision Away" | 11:00 - 12:00 PM

Description:

Have you noticed Fear, Adversity, Mindset and Excuses to name a few are often the difference makers for those that are truly successful and those who aren’t? We all face them each and everyday, but a select few know how to overcome them. Well, that’s what David Atkins is here to help you with his newly created One Decision Away philosophy.

Presenter:

David Atkins

David is a retired New York State Police Captain after 22 years of service. He ran all State Police operations for the County of Westchester NY, averaging approximately 400-500,000 911 calls a year. David was the New York State Trooper of the Year in 2003 followed by New York State Police Investigator of the Year in 2007.

David was also a first responder at Ground Zero on 09/11 where he spent weeks working in New York City. While working full-time with the NY State Police, David also built a million-dollar international direct sales business with Beachbody, leading a team of 1,400 people today. Through his success both in law enforcement and business, David became a Keynote Motivational Speaker presenting to groups of a few hundred people to over 20,000 people in the NFL Super Dome in New Orleans. David published his first book The Leveled Up Life with his second book The One Decision Away Philosophy publishing Summer 2025. David is the creator of The One Decision Away Philosophy and host of the Personal Perseverance Project Podcast. Most importantly David is a husband and a Father to his three daughters.

"Vehicle Pursuits & Response to Calls: Risks Hiding in Plain Sight" | 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Description:

Police Pursuits and Response to Calls: Risks Hiding in Plain Sight

When it comes to law enforcement vehicle pursuits, Sheriffs and deputies are caught in a dilemma: They have a duty to apprehend offenders and maintain order, but leaders must also work with their deputies to limit the risk to the public, deputies, and offenders. Case law provides some guidance, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Thousands of bystanders and hundreds of deputies and officers have been killed during pursuits and emergency operations. For various reasons, pursuits are on the rise and there is no clear-cut answer as to whether deputies should or should not conduct pursuits. But one thing must be made clear, we cannot keep doing things the way we always have. Improving technology and innovative thinking must combine to help develop guidance for deputies. Sheriffs and command staff must understand the underlying issues to work effectively with their deputies to enhance decision making and mitigate risk.

During this presentation, attendees will:

1. Learn why things go wrong during vehicle pursuits.

2. Develop an understanding of applicable law and cultural obstacles to reducing risks.

3. Develop cultural and technological strategies that can help mitigate risks associated with pursuits.

Presenter:

Chief (Ret.) Michael D. Ranalli Mike Ranalli retired in 2016 after 10 years as chief of the Glenville (NY) Police Department. He began his career in 1984 with the Colonie (NY) Police Department and held the ranks of patrol officer, sergeant, detective sergeant and lieutenant over 22 years. Currently, Mike is a Program Manager for Lexipol, the leading provider of law enforcement policies and training. He has been an attorney and trainer for over 33 years and is a frequent presenter on various legal issues including risk management, civil liability, search and seizure, use of force, wrongful convictions, and understanding human performance factors. Mike is also a past president of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police; a former member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Professional Standards, Ethics & Image Committee; and the former Chairman of the New York State Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Council. He is a graduate of the 2009 F.B.I.-Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and is a certified Force Science Analyst.