Frankfort Police Department Chief Scott Shoemaker was sworn in this morning as the 1st Vice-President for the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police at the Mid-Winter Conference in Indianapolis.
– Photos courtesy of FPD
According to the agenda for the Mid-Winter Conference, the attendees were treated to continental breakfasts, luncheons, financial wellness courses, accreditation managers training, an awards ceremony and Police Executive Leadership Academy graduation celebration, a trade show, pretzels and beer and much more before the annual business meeting today, Thursday, Feb. 1, which culminated in the induction of Chief Shoemaker as the 1st Vice-President for the association.
The Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police has been serving the professional needs of law enforcement professionals since 1926 and has begun to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors and officer positions, and the newest addition is Chief Shoemaker as an officer for the organization.
Shoemaker will join President Chief Derek McGraw of the Princeton Police Department and 2nd Vice-President Chief Shawn Keen of the Terre Haute Police Department as an officer for the organization.
The Frankfort Police Department announced Shoemaker’s inclusion through photos from his swearing-in ceremony, commenting, “congratulations Chief.”
Shoemaker is currently listed under the District 4 Director for the organization alongside Chief Steve Flores of the St. John Police Department, District 1, Chief Scott Ruszkowski of the South Bend Police Department, District 2, Chief Mike Richardson of the Columbus Police Department, District 8, Chief Kenny Kavanaugh of the Jeffersonville Police Department, District 9, Chief Jon Hillenbrand of the Vincennes Police Department, District 10, Chief Keri Kei Shibata of the Notre Dame Police Department, University/College Director, Jeffrey Adams of the U.S. Secret Service, Federal Director, ASAIC, and Nathan Schmitt of the Jasper Police Department, D.A.R.E. Indiana Director.
The board is aided by Executive Director Lane Velayo alongside numerous advisors, including Chief Mike Diekhoff of Bloomington, IACP Foundation President, Bryan Sherear of the Ligonier Police Department, IACP Foundation Chairman, Chief Kyle Prewitt of the Plainfield Police Department, IACP Government Relations Chair, Superintendent Douglas Carter of the Indiana State Police, State Agency, Tim Horty, Executive Director of the Indiana Law Enforcement Agency, and Devon McDonald, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
President Chief McGraw released a statement regarding the organization and its impacts for the law enforcement officers in the state.
“Since becoming Chief in 2016, I can’t imagine not having this resource at my disposal,” McGraw wrote. “To say it has been a rough time for our profession would be an understatement. But as a profession, we have adapted and we’re more professional now than we’ve ever been. As the leaders of our profession, we have to constantly be evaluating the needs of the public we serve and anticipating how we can adapt to meet those needs.”
The organization also recognizes law enforcement officers that have proven excellence in the field in Indiana through the presentation of awards every year, including the Police Officer of the Year, Telecommunication Operator of the Year, Community Service Award and Legislator of the Year. Frankfort Police Department Captain Brady Sorrells was awarded with the Police Officer of the Year award in 2013.
The organization also conducts training, such as the Police Executive Leadership Academy, and hosts events, such as the Mid-Winter Conference and Tradeshow, every year to further the excellence of Indiana law enforcement and celebrate the law enforcement officers around the state.