Our presenters
Our presenters are industry experts with years of experience in the fields they present. Each one of our presenters has presented hundreds of sessions and taught thousands of professionals.
Anthony Trotter
With over 17 years of distinguished law enforcement experience, including service with the Kentucky State Police, Anthony currently serves as a Detective. Throughout his career, he has played an active role in law enforcement education, serving as an instructor at the Kentucky State Police Academy.
He holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is certified as a Kentucky Safe Driver by the National Safety Council. In addition to his professional achievements, Anthony has extensive training in multiple martial arts disciplines—Boxing, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—which have strengthened his discipline, focus, and strategic approach to both his professional and personal endeavors.
Classes Taught:
-Protecting the Protectors: Self-Defense for Telecommunicators
Charles Hedgespeth
Charles Hedgespeth is a fourth-generation police officer with over 15 years of experience in public service. He currently serves as the Commander of the Kentucky State Police Recruitment Section, where he leads statewide recruitment initiatives and strategic talent development efforts.
Prior to his current role, Charles served as a Lieutenant at the Kentucky State Police Academy, where he instructed numerous Cadet Trooper and Telecommunications Academies. Over his career, he has trained thousands of law enforcement officers and dispatch professionals across Kentucky and throughout the nation.
Charles has also taught at numerous state and national NENA/APCO conferences, educating public safety personnel across the country. His expertise has earned him invitations as a keynote speaker in several states, as well as opportunities to lead pre-conference courses for telecommunicators and law enforcement professionals.
In addition to his public safety career, Charles has served as an adjunct instructor at local colleges for 14 years, sharing his knowledge and passion for criminal justice and leadership development. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Lindsey Wilson College and a Master of Science from the University of Central Missouri.
Throughout his distinguished career, Charles has also served as a state and post-level fitness coordinator, field training officer, and accident reconstructionist. His dedication and leadership have been recognized with numerous honors, including Trooper of the Year, the Commissioner’s Commendation Award, the Outstanding Instructor Award, multiple commendations, and several Governor’s Occupant Protection Awards.
Classes Taught:
-Emotional and Social Intelligence
-Followershi* isn't a Bad Word
-The Miracle Grow Effect: Cultivating Strength Not Weakness
Courtney Brookman
Courtney brings a unique blend of public and private sector leadership experience to her work in professional development. With ten years in retail leadership and six years in the public sector, she has developed a practical, people-first approach to training that translates seamlessly across industries. Her background includes legislative and executive report writing, along with grant writing experience that culminated in a federal COPS Office grant award, which helped establish her agency's peer support team.
As a Training Development Specialist with the Kentucky State Police, Courtney built and runs the Civilian Supervisor Academy, a program designed to prepare civilian employees and new supervisors for the realities of leadership. She also created and runs KSP's Welcome Aboard program, the agency's onboarding experience attended by all incoming civilian employees. Her programming spans performance management training, mentor-mentee matching initiatives, and leadership development sessions on team culture and organizational change.
Courtney holds a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown College in Child Learning and Instruction, with a minor in Child Development. This academic foundation, paired with her hands-on leadership experience, shapes her approach to training design — grounded in how people actually learn and grow, not just theory. She is a mother of two and is passionate about creating training that is honest, practical, and immediately useful — the kind that helps people lead well, not just manage.
Areas of expertise:
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Leadership and supervisor development
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Onboarding and new employee integration
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Performance management and evaluation systems
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Mentorship program design
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Organizational culture and team development
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Grant writing and program development
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Training facilitation and instructional design
Classes Taught:
Jason Long
Jason, a seasoned presenter and instructor, embarked on this entrepreneurial journey to expand the knowledge and expertise of First Responder training across the United States and abroad. Recently retired from the Kentucky State Police Academy as a Law Enforcement Instructor III, Jason ensured that all agencies received top-notch in-service training and telecommunications academy certification. With an impressive track record of over 30 years in the field of telecommunications and emergency services, Jason's extensive experience makes him a highly sought-after instructor. Additionally, he has been a certified instructor by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council for more than a decade, further solidifying his credibility and expertise.
In addition to his instructional work, Jason is also a retired Fire Chief of Milton Fire & Rescue, where he has been a dedicated member of the fire service for over 30 years. Having served in several ranks prior to becoming Chief, Jason has led the department for more than 15 years. His commitment and leadership have earned him numerous awards and certifications, including those from the National Fire Academy, reflecting his unwavering dedication to public safety and community service. Even in retirement, Jason continues to serve on the department as a Firefighter and is on the board.
Jason is also a United States Marine Infantry Rifleman, having proudly served from 2000 to 2004 with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines. During his time in the Marine Corps, he earned several awards and decorations in recognition of his service, discipline, and leadership. His experience as a Marine continues to influence his leadership style and commitment to excellence in every aspect of his career.
Jason's exceptional ability to captivate and inspire participants sets him apart, resulting in his instruction of personnel from more than 3,500 agencies nationwide and internationally. His reputation extends beyond state borders, as he has also been invited to present at prestigious conferences such as CCAW, TCOLE, NENA, and APCO National Conferences, as well as numerous state-level events. Through his dedication and unwavering passion for the job, Jason continues to make a significant impact in the field of Emergency Telecommunications, elevating the skills and knowledge of Telecommunicators, Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, and more across the country and abroad.
Classes Taught:
-Deadly Calls & Fatal Encounters
-Recruit, Retain, and Schedule Making
-Advanced Fire/EMS/Hazmat Dispatch
-The Psychology of Domestic Violence and the Role of the Telecommunicator
-Effective Strategies for Dealing with Workplace Conflict
-The Hidden Cost of Heroism: PTSD and Suicide Prevention for Responders
-TIMS for Telecommunicators: Ensuring Safe Responses
-Mastering Weather-Related Call-Taking
-Beyond Words: The Art of Communication for Telecommunicators
-From Call to Conviction: Telecommunicators' Impact on Arson Cases
-Mastering the Pursuit Process: From Novice to Expert
-Active Shooter Response for 911 Telecommunicators: Turning Chaos into Coordinated Action
-Swatting Calls: Recognizing, Assessing, and Safely Managing High-Risk False Emergencies
-Certified Training Officer (CTO) Program
-Quality Assurance: Turning Reviews into Results
Jeremy Murrell
Jeremy is a retired member of the Kentucky State Police with 22 years of distinguished service, advancing through the ranks from Trooper to Major. Throughout his career, he held numerous leadership roles, including serving as Commander of the Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, where he led statewide efforts to combat child exploitation and safeguard vulnerable victims.
Mr. Murrell has delivered extensive training to law enforcement professionals, first responders, social workers, child advocates, parents, and youth. Drawing on real-world operational and leadership experience, he provides practical, impactful instruction focused on child exploitation investigations, prevention strategies, and effective response within public safety and human service professions.
He holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Tech University and a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. Mr. Murrell currently serves as the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Counter Exploitation for the Department of Criminal Investigations within the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General.
Classes Taught:
Digital Blackmail: Understanding and Combating Sextortion
The Dark Side of the Web: Online Exploitation and Where it Leads
Katie Hamilton
Katie has over 20 years of experience in the public sector. Her knowledge of business administration, human resources, and strategic planning enables her to help organizations thrive. Katie continues to serve in advisory roles across the Commonwealth. Each focused on developing personnel, process improvement, leveraging partnerships, and planning for the future.
During her career, Katie has initiated programs and partnerships to ensure policing in the Commonwealth remains on the edge of innovation. Katie’s accomplishments include the following:
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Led state-level strategic planning
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Created a unique recruitment program utilizing a US Department of Labor registered apprenticeship to recruit high school graduates directly to the Kentucky State Police
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Partnered as an industry expert with the Kentucky Department of Education on educational pathways to educate high school students in public safety careers
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Designed and launched training development programs in the areas of leadership development, career pathways, executive skills, new supervisors, and new employees
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Worked diligently with executive staff through research and planning to secure historic raises for both sworn and civilian populations
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Served on the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Policy Workgroup for Field Training Programs, member of the IACP Planning Officer and Human Resources sections, and recipient of the Kentucky Women’s Law Enforcement Network 2023 Leadership Award
As a certified 5 Voices GiANT Guide, Katie offers research-based, industry-tested courses that empower leaders, increase performance, improve dynamics, build trust, and strengthen culture.
Join Katie in extending your reach by tapping into a world of knowledge and ideas outside your organization. Learn and grow together to enhance your response to those you serve.
Programs:
Services:
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Design Custom Professional Development Training Programs
Training:
Areas of expertise:
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Hiring and retention
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Classification and Compensation
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Employee evaluation systems, feedback, and coaching
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Employee development and training
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Strategic planning
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Designing and implementing new initiatives
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Group facilitation
Kyle Nall
Kyle Nall’s journey in law enforcement is defined by dedication, continuous learning, and a genuine desire to serve. With a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Tech University, along with a Bachelor of Criminal Justice from Tiffin University and an Associate of Arts from West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Nall’s academic journey has laid the groundwork for a career marked by his commitment to serve his community as well as his co-workers.
Starting as a Telecommunicator, Nall’s early days were spent diligently handling emergency calls and dispatching police, fire, and EMS personnel. The transition from Telecommunicator to Trooper was driven by Nall’s passion for investigations. Five years into Nall’s sworn career, that passion led to the transition from Trooper to Detective. Nall’s focus remained on investigative efforts. This focus led to recognition such as the 2008 Trooper of the Year Award, a Congressional Commendation, a Commissioner’s Commendation, and local awards which highlighted his work ethic and investigative prowess.
In 2015, Nall was tasked as a squad sergeant and as the FTO Coordinator for 12 probationary troopers assigned to his oversight. Just eight months into his formal leadership role, Nall was challenged with the line-of-duty death of probationary Trooper Eric Chrisman, whose watch ended on June 23, 2015, after succumbing to injuries sustained in a fatal collision. While attempting to lead Trooper Chrisman’s classmates through the grieving period that would follow, less than three months later – on September 13, 2015 – Chrisman’s friend and classmate, Trooper Cameron Ponder, was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop.
As a Lieutenant and Captain, Nall continued to lead by example, guiding his team through operational challenges and complex investigations with humility and a genuine desire to support and uplift those around him. His commitment to continuous improvement led him to pursue additional educational opportunities, completing the 137th Administrative Officers Course from the University of Louisville – Southern Police Institute. The experience and educational value of SPI led to Nall’s appointment as Commander over the Kentucky State Police Academy, where he led through four (4) Telecommunications Academy classes and four (4) sworn cadet classes. It was in this role that his mindset for innovative leadership and dedication to being an agent of change earned him recognition in the IACP Top 40 Under 40 in Law Enforcement Leadership in 2019.
After spending a short stint back at his home post as the Post Commander, Nall was appointed to lead the Office of Administrative Services at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In this role, Nall would lead the charge in historic salary increases for both sworn personnel and telecommunications personnel. Likewise, Nall continued his progressive mindset through recruitment initiatives, increased benefit plans, and the development of the Health & Wellness Branch.
Classes Taught:
Ricky Lynn
Ricky retired after 43 years in law enforcement, dedicating the last ten years of his career to serving as a Human Trafficking Detective with both the Lexington Police Department and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. Ricky was the first full-time Human Trafficking Detective in the state of Kentucky, pioneering efforts that have shaped statewide investigative approaches and victim advocacy.
Ricky is a certified instructor through the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) and has taught at numerous state and national NENA and APCO conferences. In addition to conference presentations, Ricky has had the opportunity to teach multiple in-person hosted classes across the country, with his courses consistently receiving outstanding reviews from participants.
Ricky’s primary instructional areas include human trafficking, child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. He provides specialized training to telecommunicators and law enforcement personnel nationwide, helping agencies strengthen their understanding and response to these complex crimes.
Beyond instruction, Ricky also serves as a consultant to County and Commonwealth Attorneys throughout Kentucky, offering expert guidance on human trafficking cases.
Ricky previously worked with the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) and has recently joined the Frankfort Police Department as their Lead SVU Detective, continuing his lifelong commitment to justice, education, and victim advocacy.
Classes Taught:
-The Dark Reality: An Introduction to Human Trafficking
-From Call to Conviction: Telecommunicator Against Human Trafficking
Robert Hartley
Robert is a second-generation police officer with more than eight years of experience in public service. He currently serves as a Sergeant with the Kentucky State Police assigned to the Training Academy, where he works as a full-time instructor responsible for developing and training Cadet Troopers as well as sworn Troopers and Officers.
In this role, Robert instructs in a wide range of subjects, including Health and Fitness, Arrest and Control, Combatives and Tactics, Intoxilyzer Operation, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Police Ethics, Report Writing, Case Management, and Traffic Stops.
Prior to his assignment at the Training Academy, Robert served in several operational roles, including detective, patrol Trooper, Field Training Officer, and post-certified TASER instructor, gaining valuable real-world experience in investigations and frontline law enforcement operations.
After receiving the 2020 Governor’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Award, Robert became a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). He now serves as a DRE Instructor, assisting with training for agencies across the state in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) training, and Instructor Development courses. The DRE program is an internationally recognized initiative supported by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Robert currently serves as the agency DRE Coordinator for his department.
In addition to his law enforcement career, Robert has extensive training in martial arts disciplines, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, wrestling, and Krav Maga. This background has strengthened his ability to maintain composure under pressure, enhance situational awareness, and make effective decisions during high-stress encounters.
Robert is passionate about delivering practical, real-world training that improves officer safety, strengthens professional development, and prepares law enforcement professionals for the challenges they face in the field.
Classes Taught:
Substance Awareness for Employee Response
Protecting the Protectors: Self-Defense for Telecommunicators
Shawn Darby
Shawn Darby is a seasoned public service professional with 28 years of experience. He holds a degree from the University of Kentucky and has been an educator since 2008, training police officers, dispatchers, and other federal agencies. Throughout his distinguished career, Shawn has commanded various units, including the Detective Bureau, Public Integrity Unit, Academy Branch, and the Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations Section.
During his time at the Academy Branch, Shawn earned certifications in general and advanced investigations, drug and narcotics investigations, defensive tactics, driving, traffic stops, and firearms instruction. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he served as Kentucky’s STOPS Coordinator and State Firearms Officer. Notably, he contributed to the graduation of over 700 Troopers during his tenure at the Academy.
Shawn’s exemplary service has been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named Trooper of the Year three times. He is also the only Trooper in Kentucky history to receive the prestigious Ernie Bivins Award, which honors the most outstanding police cadet and instructor. His impressive record also includes three Commissioner’s Commendations and multiple letters of commendation.
Classes Taught:
-Behind the Scenes of Traffic Stops: A Telecommunicator's Perspective
-The Aftermath of LODD: Navigating the Years Ahead