Region 8 Regional Training Seminar

RTS Brochure 

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Seminar Location
Central Baptist Church Bearden
6300 Deane Hill Dr. Knoxville, TN 37919

Hotel Accommodation Details

We are pleased to offer a special group rate for attendees of the International Conference of Police Chaplains 2026 at the Hampton Inn and Suites or Hilton Garden Inn Knoxville Papermill Drive.
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Hampton Inn and Suites
601 N. Weisgarber Road
865-693-5400 EXT. 7705
$149/Night, Including Breakfast
Booking Link

Hilton Garden Inn Knoxville Papermill Drive
6200 Papermill Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 USA
$159/Night
Booking Link
Reserve your room early to ensure availability for the conference!

When
9/21/2026 7:00 AM - 9/24/2026 5:00 PM
Eastern Daylight Time
Where
Central Baptist Church Bearden 6300 Deane Hill Dr Knoxville, TN 37919 UNITED STATES
Registration
Sign in or create an account to register
Registration ends 9/24/2026 5:00 PM EDT

Program

Monday, 21 September 2026

Description
Course will emphasize the importance of ethical behavior in law enforcement conduct. The course will share issues and unseen situations that can lead to a chaplain’s downfall. It will explore human pitfalls to watch for as a law enforcement chaplain. Instructor – Chaplain Bill Youngblood
Category
Enrichment
Time
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
2:30 PM
The course will provide valuable insight into the influence of gangs in our communities. There is much subtle activity that most people don’t see. The course will give chaplains a better understanding of the tremendous influence of gangs. Instructor – Officer Diondre Jackson, Knoxville Police Department
Category
Enrichment
Time
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
2:30 PM
The course will provide information and insight into Officer Involved Shootings to give Chaplains a better perspective of the effects on Officers and how Chaplains can give support and assistance to Officers following a shooting. The course will include possible reactions Officers will experience as well as how to help Officers and their families deal with those reactions and effects. Instructor – Tim Rutledge, LEAPS
Category
Enrichment
Time
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
2:30 PM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed instructions in understanding the purpose of law enforcement chaplaincy programs and items to consider when starting a chaplaincy program. It will also identify differences between clergy & chaplains and specific items chaplains should do/should not do when serving their agencies.
Category
Basic
Time
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
2:30 PM

Tuesday, 22 September 2026

Description
The course will provide proper procedures for crime scenes allowing participants a look inside processes and requirements for a crime scene with an emphasis on the role of the chaplain at a crime scene. Attendees will have an inside look at crime scene procedures. Instructors – Knoxville Police Department Crime Scene Technician Arleigh Jones
Category
Enrichment
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
The course will provide information on how the role and duties of the K-9 Officer differs from the Patrol Officer. The Chaplain will learn about the requirements of the K-9 Officer, duties for the care and well-being of the K-9, the relationship of the Officer and the K-9 as well as ways that Chaplains can support the K-9 Officers. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Officer Darrell Sexton
Category
Enrichment
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
The course is a day-long course that will equip Chaplains with information and skills to recognize Officers suffering from PTSD who may be considering suicide. The number of Officer suicides exceeds line of duty death significantly. The course will help Chaplains recognize the signs of an Officer contemplating suicide and be able to assist the Officer in preventing suicide including special communication skills and active listening. Instructor – Tim Rutledge, LEAPS
Category
Enrichment
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed instruction in many of the basic  elements of serving as a liaison between a department/agency and a chaplaincy program. It will include qualifications and duties/responsibilities of liaison personnel in different size  departments/agencies and different types of departments/agencies. This course will also  assist liaison personnel in relating to chaplains with differing ages, abilities, backgrounds,  etc.
Category
Liaison
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed instruction in many basic elements of law enforcement chaplaincy. It will include instruction and exercises in sensitivity and diversity, suggestions and recommendations in being relevant to, and connecting with, the agency and the officers whom the chaplain will serve and will provide detailed instruction in the participation of ride-alongs and law enforcement agency ceremonies and events, including law enforcement funerals.
Category
Basic
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
This course will identify specific stresses of law enforcement and provide specific tools that can be used for each stressor. The stressors included are very specific and include stressors for families as well as officers. The tools match the specific stress and can be invaluable to officers and families. Instructor – Brooke Bagley, Psychologist
Category
Enrichment
Time
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
10:15 AM
The course will be instruction about the relationship between the Medical Examiner and the on-scene chaplain. Includes protocol for the scene of a fatality, natural death, or multi-death event. The course gives detailed information about procedures of the Medical Examiner and how the chaplain can complement that role and be an asset to the Medical Examiner and family members and officers on-scene. Instructor – Chris Thomas, Knox County Regional Forensic Center
Category
Enrichment
Time
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
10:15 AM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed instruction in assisting liaison  personnel to lead the chaplains in their individual chaplaincy programs. It will include  instruction in the qualifications, duties and responsibilities of chaplains and how chaplains  can be an overall asset to the agency. Details including chaplain credentialing, ride-alongs  and confidentiality are discussed at length.
Category
Liaison
Time
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
10:15 AM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed instruction in the legal aspects of chaplaincy. It will include instruction in the disciplines of confidentiality, liability, officer and chaplain ethics as well as the legalities that surround sensitivity and diversity in regard to civil and political rights. Instruction will also be given regarding ICPC's Canon of Ethics.
Category
Basic
Time
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
10:15 AM
The course will provide statistics and information about the rise in cases of human trafficking. Chaplains need to be aware of situations in which it occurs and how to provide support for this area of law enforcement. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Sergeant James Lockmiller
Category
Enrichment
Time
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
1:00 PM
The course outlines how policing has evolved over time to the presently accepted model of community oriented policing. It will also include outlines of how community policing works and why it is more widely accepted by today’s police agencies. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Lieutenant Josh Shaffer
Category
Enrichment
Time
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
1:00 PM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed instruction in many aspects of  managing chaplains. It will include instruction on promoting the chaplaincy within your  department, founding and defending a chaplaincy program and developing general orders for a chaplaincy program. This course will also help liaison personnel train, manage,  discipline and deploy chaplains.
Category
Liaison
Time
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
1:00 PM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed instruction in the many basic elements of what the law enforcement family is. It will include instruction in the stages of the law enforcement career, identify unique stressors that affect the families of law enforcement officers as well as stressors unique to the law enforcement career that bond officers into the Thin Blue Line family.
Category
Basic
Time
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
1:30 PM
Wellness Programs are growing in law enforcement agencies. The course will teach the structure of the Wellness Program, how to grow the program, and how to measure the success of the program. It will also talk about the use of grants to fund the program. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Chaplain and Wellness Coordinator Mike Patty
Category
Enrichment
Time
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM
2:45 PM
The course will provide an understanding of domestic violence and the resources available for victims of domestic violence. The Family Justice Center is a one-stop location that provides all the resources a victim might need in a private and safe setting. The course provides statistics, information, and procedures involving domestic violence calls. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Dr. David Kitts
Category
Enrichment
Time
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
2:45 PM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed instruction in policies and legal  considerations, primarily in regard to the laws of the United States of America. It will include information on the First Amendment and court cases that have set the standard for  law enforcement chaplaincy including chaplaincy validation and special considerations  such as mandatory reporting and privileged communication. State statute examples will  also be discussed.
Category
Liaison
Time
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM
2:45 PM
This course will help chaplains identify a variety of crisis situations commonly encountered by law enforcement officials and potential responses to those crises. It will provide comprehensive and detailed instruction in responding to call-outs and a chaplain's response before, during and after a crisis situation.
Category
Basic
Time
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM
2:45 PM
Category
Entertainment
Time
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
6:30 PM

Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Description
The course will provide a first-hand account of recovery from a life-changing line of duty injury resulting from a traffic stop. The involvement of the KPD Chaplain Corps in the recovery makes this a great class for Chaplains to hear firsthand experience of the support of the Chaplains during recovery from a critical incident. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Detective Andy Olson
Category
Enrichment
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
The course will give ideas about sources for grants to provide funding for various supplies, equipment, and activities. In addition, it is important to make sure each aspect of a grant is followed to get the full benefit of the grant. Chaplains might consider grants for funding their supplies, equipment, and activities. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Program Manager Emily Tucker
Category
Enrichment
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
The course will assist Chaplains in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their current Peer Support and help develop ways to make current teams more effective. The course will address enhancing skills to recognize situations that require additional assistance for those affected by trauma as well as additional tools for dealing with grief issues. Instructor – Tim Rutledge, LEAPS
Category
Enrichment
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
Law enforcement officers have one of the most stressful jobs in the world. Our job as chaplains is to help them identify those stressors and manage them in a positive way that will help them be more productive in not only their careers but their family lives as well. It is designed to give the chaplain tools to help identify the types of stress officers may be going through, signs of burnout, trauma and PTSD. You will also be able to help your officers become more resilient and understand that by managing the stressors in their lives they can have healthier careers and families.
Category
Basic
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
The course will provide a definition of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), history of the ICAC Task Force, statistics of the ICAC Task Force, and procedures of the ICAC Task Force. Detective Evans will walk the class through an investigation of a perpetrator and the process up to disposition in court. The class will go step by step through the investigation. The Knoxville Police Department ICAC Unit has had a high rate of success in finding, investigating, and prosecuting child pornographers. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Detective Tom Evans
Category
Enrichment
Time
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
10:15 AM
The course will provide direction for Chaplains when riding with an Officer or responding to a call for service. Procedure for traffic stops has changed in recent times as traffic stops have become more dangerous. Chaplains need to know the most effective response to protect themselves as well as the Officers. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Sergeant Andrew Cloyd
Category
Enrichment
Time
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
10:15 AM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed information regarding suicide, reasons why people commit suicide, signs of suicide and other facts to consider to aid in the prevention of suicide. Officer suicide will be addressed as well as practical instruction for chaplains to assist officers within their department and when called upon to respond in the community.
Category
Basic
Time
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
10:15 AM
The course will define Moral Injury and how officers’ values are affected by repeated critical incidents. It also provides ways to protect oneself from Moral Injury. Instructor – Morristown Police Department Chaplain Coordinator Chris Dotson
Category
Enrichment
Time
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
1:00 PM
The possibility of a Chaplain encountering a situation in which an Officer needs a tourniquet or CPR is very real. The class will provide training in both. Hands-free CPR has made the process much easier and more readily utilized. Chaplains need the skills should the need arise for a Chaplain, an Officer or someone else. Completion of the course will provide a certificate. Instructor – Knoxville Fire Department Buddy Gibson
Category
Enrichment
Time
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
1:00 PM
This course will provide comprehensive and detailed instruction regarding chaplain responsibilities during department/agency incidents such as: responding to an officer involved shooting, line of duty deaths and officer injuries. It also includes detailed instruction in planning and participating in law enforcement funerals and other ceremonies and events chaplains are called upon to assist.
Category
Basic
Time
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
1:00 PM
The course will provide updated information about the many drug overdoses in our communities. Overdoses occur in people of all ages, economic backgrounds, and walks of life. The course will enlighten chaplains about drug overdoses. Instructor – Chris Thomas, Knox County Regional Forensic Center
Category
Enrichment
Time
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM
2:45 PM
The course will provide familiarization with different weapons and how to handle weapons safely should the need arise. The course demonstrates how to safely handle a variety of weapons should the need arise on a Ride Along or other situations the Chaplain might encounter or if an Officer becomes incapacitated. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Officer John Sutton
Category
Enrichment
Time
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM
2:45 PM
Due to the frequent requests to have law enforcement chaplains either perform, or participate in, the delivery of a death notification, this course will provide comprehensive, step-by-step instruction and training in making such notifications. It will define "notification," discuss common and predictable reactions to receiving a death notification and provide the ten steps of a successful death notification. Additional information and training are included regarding special circumstances and locations in which chaplains are required to perform death notifications.
Category
Basic
Time
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM
2:45 PM

Thursday, 24 September 2026

Description
The course will enable Area Representatives and other chaplains to organize and make presentations on behalf of ICPC to agencies and families of a Line of Duty Death. Instructor – Sevierville Police Department Chaplain Coordinator Richard Everett
Category
Enrichment
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
This course will provide comprehensive detailed instruction in the necessity of taking care of yourself as you serve as a chaplain. It is designed to lay some fundamental and foundational principles and practices to assist the chaplain with sustainability and resiliency.
Category
Basic
Time
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM
The course will provide tools for agencies to build a Peer Support Team including training, recruiting, setting policy, and responding to agency critical incidents in a timely and professional manner. The course will include writing protocols and procedures, requirements for the Team, evaluating team performance, keeping records, and utilizing grants for Peer Support. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Chaplain Coordinator Pam Neal
Category
Enrichment
Time
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
10:15 AM
The course is essentially a refresher course emphasizing the importance of Ride Alongs for the successful Chaplain. The course provides procedures to develop good Ride Along habits to be more accepted by the Officers as well as to provide safety for the Chaplain and the Officer. Instructor – Knoxville Police Department Chaplain and Wellness Coordinator Mike Patty
Category
Enrichment
Time
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
10:15 AM