National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement

Urgent Priorities to Further Our Reform Efforts

The field of oversight of law enforcement has grown significantly in the last few years. With it, the needs of practitioners and communities looking to establish civilian oversight have also grown; the current national outcry for police reform has accelerated that growth rapidly. NACOLE is working hard to meet the demand but money is often a limiting factor. With your help, we could increase our capacity for outreach, advocacy, and education. We want to strengthen and expand oversight throughout the country, and give those tasked with doing this challenging and essential work the support and professional development they need to be strong, effective community-change agents. Your donation will directly support NACOLE’s top 3 priorities:

1. Advocacy for civilian oversight

2. Training of oversight professionals

3. Defining and defending oversight with state-of-the-field research and data

Learn More

RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Biden Signs Federal Prison Oversight Act into Law

The National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) applauds new legislation signed into law by President Biden on July 25, 2025. The Federal Prison Oversight Act establishes new, independent oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons that will create the needed change in the federal prison system that has been plagued by systemic policy failures, corruption, and abuse. NACOLE recognizes that the need for strong legislation such as the Federal Prison Oversight Act is long overdue and we stand ready to support those tasked with implementing effective, sustainable oversight of the federal prison system with the principles for effective oversight at the forefront. This includes, but is not limited to, the need for adequate funding and resources.

Information Regarding 2024 NACOLE Board Elections Now Available

This year the NACOLE membership will elect two at-large members to the board of directors. For more information about election procedures and declaring your candidacy, visit our election information page HERE.

New listings posted regularly. Click below to see current job postings.

View Current Postings

Click Here to See Additional Upcoming Events
Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 08:00 AM through October 17, 2024

JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa

2024 Annual NACOLE Conference
Exhibitor and Vendor Information Sponsorship Information

2024 Annual NACOLE Conference

Thirty Years of NACOLE: Progress. Preservation. Perseverance.

October 13 - 17, 2024

The National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) is celebrating its 30th year. For the last three decades, NACOLE has worked to foster the growth of civilian oversight of law enforcement, jails, and prisons and provide support for those building and attempting to maintain effective and sustainable oversight agencies throughout the United States and around the world. We are proud to celebrate 30 years of progress, preservation, and perseverance at this year's annual conference.

NACOLE and the civilian oversight community it serves has embraced principles and practices that prioritize accountability and transparency and encourage law enforcement agencies to reflect the values of the communities they serve. While civilian oversight of law enforcement has expanded tremendously since 1994, with approximately 250 agencies throughout the United States. Nevertheless, it continues to face existential attacks and challenges. Some state governments have preempted local civilian oversight initiatives and in many jurisdictions oversight agencies lack adequate resources and access to the documents necessary to effectively carry out the mandates they have been given. These obstacles represent just a few of the threats that civilian oversight of law enforcement, jails, and prisons face on a daily basis.

To address the challenges that civilian oversight currently confronts, conference sessions will focus on thinking beyond the traditional considerations of civilian oversight; sharpening skills for effective oversight; involving and engaging stakeholders; jail and prison oversight; nontraditional approaches to building and/or maintaining effective oversight; and expanding oversight's impact. Attendees will have the opportunity to select from over 25 plenary, concurrent, and roundtable sessions to share experiences and engage with peers and civilian oversight experts.

We hope that those in and around the civilian oversight community will join us as we celebrate the last thirty years, explore and address the current state of civilian oversight, and examine the path forward for NACOLE and its work helping independent, civilian oversight entities striving to make their local law enforcement agencies, jails, and prisons more transparent, accountable, and responsive.

***UPDATE ON CANCELLATIONS: The registration cancellation deadline has passed and refunds are no longer being issued. If there is someone that you would like to take your place at the conference, we can transfer your registration to that person. If you do not have a replacement and no longer plan on attending, we would appreciate it if you would let us know. Please email NACOLE's Event Coordinator, Karen Williams ([email protected]) for both matters.

***UPDATE ON CONFERENCE HOTEL ROOMS (scroll down for information about the hotel): The conference room block first sold out in late July and, for the second time, the hotel has accommodated our request for additional rooms. However, please note that the rate for the rooms most recently added is $249/night. We anticipate that these rooms will sell out quickly, so if you try to reserve a room via the link below and are not able to, please call the hotel reservation line (888.527.8989) for assistance. In some cases, they may be able to assist with making reservations, and they will also be able to let you know if the room block has sold out again. Please check back here for additional updates or email [email protected].***
CONFERENCE FEES

For detailed information about the conference, click the Registration icon above.

The registration cancellation deadline is September 13, 2024, 11:59 pm ET.
Cancellations made by the deadline will be honored, less a $100 processing fee.

HOTEL INFORMATION

***UPDATE ON CONFERENCE HOTEL ROOMS (scroll down for information about the hotel): The conference room block first sold out in late July and, for the second time, the hotel has accommodated our request for additional rooms. However, please note that the rate for the rooms most recently added is $249/night. We anticipate that these rooms will sell out quickly, so if you try to reserve a room via the link below and are not able to, please call the hotel reservation line (888.527.8989) for assistance. In some cases, they may be able to assist with making reservations, and they will also be able to let you know if the room block has sold out again. Please check back here for additional updates or email [email protected].***

The JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa will serve as our host hotel and is the location of all of our daily sessions.

NACOLE has arranged for a block of rooms at a special rate of $169.00 per night for conference attendees.

Room rates are currently subject to applicable taxes of 12.05% plus $4.00 per room, per night. Please note, this information is provided to help estimate costs and NACOLE cannot guarantee actual expenses.

To receive the special rate, make your reservations on or before September 20, 2024 and indicate that you are part of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement Conference.

The hotel requires that all reservations be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card.

There are a limited number of rooms at the special rate. NACOLE cannot guarantee the special rate after the room block has sold out or after the special rate cut-off date, whichever comes first.

Reservations may be made by clicking the hotel icon above or by calling the hotel reservation line at (888) 527-8989.
VISITING TUCSON

Why Tucson? Because you're looking to go somewhere that not everyone has gone. A place that's totally different than what you've experienced in the past, but that still has the amenities you'd expect. A place with uniquely breathtaking natural sights, located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by five mountain ranges and two districts of Saguaro National Park. A place that was recognized by UNESCO as the first City of Gastronomy in the United States. (Courtesy of Visit Tucson)

Come a few days early or stay a few days late to experience all that Tucson has to offer, from museums to missions, food to festivals, and saguaros to shopping!

TRAVEL, PARKING, AND TRANSPORTATION

For those of you who will be flying to this year’s conference, Tucson is served by the Tucson International Airport, which is approximately 15 miles southeast of the conference hotel. The hotel does not offer a free shuttle to and from the airport, so you may wish to utilize a ride-share service or taxi for a cost between $30 and $45. Another option is to fly into Phoenix (which is about 115 miles northwest of the hotel) and rent a car. If you are driving to the conference, self parking is available for a fee of $13 daily, and valet parking, with in and out privileges, is available for $35 daily.
View Event