Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

2006 Summary Report on the
Early Identification and Intervention Systems Training Conference
held in Phoenix, Arizona

On March 27^th through the 30^th, 2006, the Phoenix Police Department hosted a four day training conference on Early Identification and Intervention Systems in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Arizona State University Downtown Center. 

Conference Host (L/R) Asst. Chief Andy Anderson, Cmdr Steve Campbell,

Lt. Dan Olson, Adm. Lori Rhyons, Chief Jack Harris,

Detective Toye Nash, Sgt. Ron Snodgrass

The Phoenix Police Department began working on an Early Identification and Intervention System (EIIS) for their Department in December 1999.  The Department developed a system referred to as the Personnel Assessment System or PAS.  Over the last few years the Department has worked with a number of agencies developing an EIIS as well as participated in several research projects with the Department of Justice and Dr. Sam Walker.  Over 40 law enforcement agencies have visited Phoenix for a demonstration of PAS.

Original PAS design group (L/R) Lt. Dan Olson, Adm. Lori Rhyons, Chief Jack Harris,

 Detective Toye Nash, Sgt. Ron Snodgrass and

Programmer Mike Gunnare (not pictured)

Due to the interest shown in PAS by other agencies, in August of 2004, the PAS Detail began exploring opportunities to present and host an EIIS conference.  The PAS Detail, Detective Toye Nash, Sergeant Ron Snodgrass, and Lt. Dan Olson began working on the details of the conference along with Professional Standards Bureau Commander Steve Campbell and Assistant Police Chief Andy Anderson.  The Phoenix Police Department also partnered with Arizona POST and the Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association, (PPSLA) on the conference.  As a result of these partnerships no Police Department funds were used for the conference. 

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Police Chief Jack Harris kicked off the conference by welcoming over 120 attendees from 53 different agencies and professional organizations.

City of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon

Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris

Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris gives an overview of PAS

and his role in the system’s implementation.

In addition to welcoming the attendees Chief Harris also shared some of his personal experiences with EIIS.  Chief Harris, as the Professional Standards Bureau Commander in 1999, was in charge of creating an EIIS for the Phoenix Police Department.

The conference began with Sam Walker Ph.D. giving a national perspective on EIIS.  Dr. Walker is a nationally recognized expert in the area of EIIS.  He has authored numerous publications regarding EIIS and other Criminal Justice Issues.

Kevin Gilmartin Ph.D. spoke for the remainder of the first day on Emotional Stress in Law Enforcement.

Sgt. Ron Snodgrass, Chief Harris, Sgt. Christel Boeck,

Mayor Phil Gordon and Det. Toye Nash

The second day consisted of presentations given by Bob Wendover of the Center of Generational Studies on Generational Differences and how they impact policing.  Karen Amendola, Ph.D. of the Police Foundation spoke on Legal Considerations regarding consent decrees.

Phoenix Police Detectives (L/R), James Wolfe, Ellen Bach, Steve Hesterman and Mini Hernandez

(not pictured) assisted with registration and conference logistics.

In the afternoon of the second day EIIS agency perspectives were presented by West Jordan P.D., Tampa P.D. and Phoenix P.D.  Sgt. Ron Snodgrass and Officer Levi Bolton from the Phoenix Police Department closed out the day with labor considerations for implementing and EIIS.

The Phoenix Police Department Museum was on site complete with a

restored vintage 1967 Ford Police Car.

During day three of the conference Al Pearsall from the Department of Justice spoke on Community Oriented Policing Services.  Lt. Dan Olson from the Phoenix Police Department spoke on the Project Management perspective regarding the creation of the Phoenix EIIS. 

Phoenix Police personnel from the Employee Assistance Unit discussed the impact of employee assistance on EIIS.

In the afternoon, Phoenix Police Department Assistant Chief Andy Anderson led the Phoenix PAS board in a panel discussion with attendees regarding the function of the board.  Phoenix Police Detective Toye Nash and ASU Professor Chuck Katz, Ph.D. discussed training needs.  Phoenix Police Sergeant Pat Tortorici discussed issues involving military personnel returning to work from active duty.

Phoenix P.D. Detective Toye Nash and LT. Carolyn Kendrick of the San Diego P.D.

seem to be having a great time!

On day four, Phoenix Police Computer Services Bureau Administrator Lori Rhyons, started off the day with a presentation on Internal Information Technology.  Lori was part of the original design group for PAS and continues to work with the system in her position as a bureau administrator.

Lt. John Newman of the Tampa Police Department and Phoenix Police Detective Toye Nash spoke on Effectiveness and Success.  Before lunch attendees were treated to some karaoke by Inspector Graeme Cruise of the Western Australian Police.

Graeme Cruise of the Western Australian Police sings an

impromptu karaoke song to help close out the conference.

The karaoke performance was a big hit with attendees

After lunch, Phoenix Police Sergeant Ron Snodgrass and Detective Toye Nash presented a live demonstration of PAS, the Phoenix Police Department’s Early Identification and Intervention System.

On behalf of the Phoenix Police Department we hope all the attendees left the conference with beneficial information they can apply towards their EIIS and the overall national development of EIIS.

In Appreciation:

Special thanks to the following individuals/organizations that participated in the conference.

Arizona POST

            Tom Hammarstrom

Lyle Mann

Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Associations (PPSLA)

            President: Lieutenant Mark Hafkey

Phoenix Police Department Personnel:

The following presenters:

Sam Walker Ph.D.

Kevin Gilmartin, Ph.D.

Karen Amendola Ph.D.

Bob Wendover, Center for Generational Studies

Al Pearsall, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Dept. of Justice

Lieutenant Kyle Shepard, West Jordon Police Department, Utah

Lieutenant John Newman, Tampa Police Department, Florida

Dave Fogel, Natural Selection, Inc.

Chuck Katz, Ph.D., Arizona State University

Dr. Michael Cofield Ph.D.

Dr. Ann Hart Ph.D.

The following vendors who participated and help make the conference a success:

IA Pro                         Brain Delaurantis

On Target                    Kurt Owens

Motorola Evalis            Mark Roylance

Booths with good police stuff:

Phoenix Police Museum

Phoenix Police Honor Guard

Phoenix Police Athletic Club

And most of all, the participating agencies.