Protecting Society & minimising use of lethal force

Participation in this workshop is by invitation and places are strictly limited. If you are interested in attending please make contact using the link provided.

Our twelfth International Law Enforcement Forum (ILEF) Workshop to be held in Calgary, Canada on Thursday, August 15^ththrough to mid-day Saturday, August 17^th. This year’s ILEF Workshop is being hosted and supported logistically by the Calgary Police Service. The theme is “Protecting Society, and Minimising the Use of Lethal Force whilst Upholding the Right to Life of All.”

ILEF 2019 will provide an opportunity to consider policy, procedure, training, equipment and issues of organisational culture in respect of police use of force. While each of these issues are central to the ILEF mandate it is of interest that they were also issues addressed in the 2018 Independent Review of Use of Force in the Calgary Police Service conducted by the Honourable Judge Wittmann QC.

The international presentations and workshops will also serve as an opportunity for sharing and critically examining approaches and innovations in how police services from the nations represented, equip and train, officers in situations where firearms and less lethal weapons are deployed. All participants will be issued with a certificate of attendance that they may be able to use as evidence of Continuous Professional Development.

The International Law Enforcement Forum on minimum force options has drawn its mandate from the UN Article 2 Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials of which states: “Governments and law enforcement agencies should develop a range of means as broad as possible and equip law enforcement officials with various types of weapons and ammunition that would allow for a differentiated use of force and firearms. These should include the development of non-lethal incapacitating weapons for use in appropriate situations, with a view to increasingly restraining the application of means capable of causing death or injury to persons.”

ILEF's focus of less-lethal/minimal force options has been to ensure an appropriate intervention capability that minimizes to the greatest extent possible the use of lethal force in situations requiring interventions by both patrol officers and specialist tactical units (Public Order and Firearms).

We will follow our traditional ILEF agenda which includes international updates on development, testing and use of less-lethal technologiesas well as operational and economic challenges being faced in law enforcement. A unique feature of ILEF are the workshops which provide the opportunity for subject matter experts (policing, medical, scientific/technical) and policy makers to discuss current and developing concepts and technologies with a focus on less-lethal and minimal force options. We will also continue to develop the agenda items identified during recent ILEF Workshops held in Vancouver (2011) Pennsylvania (2013), in Belfast (2104) and in Quantico United States (2017).

ILEF is run on a not-for-profit basis and every attempt is made to minimise cost to attendees. A $100 (US) registration fee is charged to cover the costs associated with organising and running the event.

We hope you will be able to join us for this year’s ILEF Workshop in Calgary. Please review the attached sheet for additional information about registration, travel, venue and accommodation. A tentative agenda of speakers and events will be distributed shortly.

Colin Burrows Andrew F. Mazzara

Chairman, ILEF Advisory Board ILEF Executive Director

Workshop Information

Since we are not assisted by a paid professional conference staff or supported with organizational land transportation, it is particularly important that you read the following information carefully, and register as soon as possible. If we don’t have adequate numbers for attendance from the UK and US by May 1^st, 2019, there is a good possibility the workshop will be postponed or cancelled.

Registration

Your important first step is to register for our twelfth ILEF Workshop. All delegates are asked to formally register for the event. This can be done by email at amazzara@aol.com. Alternatively feel free to contact our Executive Director, Andy Mazzara at Tel: +01 814 571 2956. UK and European delegates may contact the Chiar of our Advisory Board Colin Burrows at ColinBurrows@aol.com. ILEF is run on an strictly not-for-profit basis however $100 (US) registration fee is charged to cover the costs associated with organising and running the event.

Venue

This year the venue is being located at Calgary Police Service Headquarters Lecture Hall.Photo ID (driver license or government ID) may be required for entry to the facility. The event will include an evening (Thursday) dinner at The Chop Steakhouse in Calgary.

Travel

Calgary International Airport (YYC) is an international airport that serves the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is located approximately 17 km (11 mi) northeast of downtown. Calgary International is the busiest airport in Alberta and the fourth-busiest in Canada. The airport, which has nonstop flights to an array of destinations in North and Central America, Europe, and Asia, is also a hub for two major Canadian airlines: Air Canada and WestJet.

Accommodation bookings

The conference primary hotel will be the Residence Inn (Marriott Residence Inn Calgary Airport, 2530 48th Avenue NE, Calgary, AB, T3J 4V8) obviously located near the airport. A block of rooms has been reserved for the workshop at a cost of $139 (US/Canada) per night, plus tax. Please note that delegates are responsible for making their own reservations. Please contact the hotel directly and quote ‘ILEF’ (Group Code) at the time of booking to avail of special rate. Please see website at: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yycri-residence-inn-calgary-airport/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2. Michelle Tooze-Matthews (403-689-8178) is the contact person used by the Calgary Police Service on a regular basis and will be able to provide all information and discounted rates. Just let Michelle know that the ILEF workshop is being hosted by the Calgary Police Service.

Residence Inn, Calgary Main Tel: +01 403-278-1000

Other hotel:

Sandman Hotel Calgary Airport Main Tel: +01 403-219-2475

Ground Airport Transportation

There is a free shuttle from the airport to the Marriott Residence Inn. Taxis are also available at the airport for transport to the downtown area and other hotels. Fares are based on meter rates. Under normal driving conditions, the approximate fare to downtown Calgary is between $40 and $45. Airport taxis can accommodate four or five adult passengers. Vans are available to assist customers with excess luggage.

If you can attend this year’s ILEF Workshop, please register as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, our UK/European colleagues should contact Colin Burrows at ColinBurrows@aol.com(+44(0)7980826192), our other (USA, Canadian, etc.) colleagues should contact Andy Mazzara at amazzara@aol.com (+01 814 571 2956).