To further its mission, NACOLE works to bring together the growing community of civilian oversight practitioners, law enforcement officials, journalists, elected officials, students, community members, and others to meet and exchange information and ideas about issues facing civilian oversight and law enforcement. In addition to it's annual conference, NACOLE conducts regional training and networking events, and gathers academics and scholars from different fields to discuss and encourage multi-disciplinary work on police oversight, and encourage relationships between civilian oversight practitioners, police professionals, and scholars.
Friday, March 28, 2025 at 02:00 PM
2025 NACOLE Webinar Series (March)
Addressing Key Issues in Law Enforcement-Youth Interactions
On Friday, March 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. EDT, NACOLE will welcome Lisa H. Thurau and Shelley R. Jackson, from Strategies for Youth (SFY), a national nonprofit training and policy organization dedicated to ensuring best outcomes for youth interacting with law enforcement. The presenters will describe key legal precedent and social science research supporting the need for law enforcement agencies and officers to treat youth differently than they would adults, and how youth-specific law enforcement policies and standards are necessary to protect youth rights, provide officers with support in these encounters, and keep both youth and officers safe. SFY’s recently-developed model policies on police-youth interactions will be introduced, focusing on investigative stops and frisks, Miranda warnings, waiver of rights and youth interrogations, and use of force. Presenters will also discuss how the model policies can be a tool for civilian oversight boards and practitioners when they are called upon to review youth-related complaints against law enforcement, examine law enforcement practices, or provide input on how law enforcement can improve its relationships with youth and their families. Finally, presenters will encourage those involved in civilian oversight, when feasible, to gather information about what youth in their communities are experiencing in law enforcement interactions and to incorporate that information into oversight work.
Lisa H. Thurau, Founder and Executive Director, Strategies for Youth, Inc.
Lisa founded SFY in 2010 with the goal of ensuring that officers are equipped with both training and policies based on using developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, equitable approaches with youth. She built Strategies for Youth from the ground up without formal institutional or foundation support. Lisa, an attorney, has been consulted by state legislators, state agencies, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education on policing’s impacts on youth, as well as policy development, statutory reforms, and developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, equitable law enforcement policies. Lisa writes and speaks on these topics to a wide array of police, youth-advocates, and legal audiences. She holds degrees in Anthropology from Barnard College and Columbia University. Before becoming an attorney, Lisa worked as a researcher and advocate for reform and improvement of the public education system in New York City.
Shelley Jackson, Law Enforcement Policies Attorney, Strategies for Youth, Inc.
Shelley has more than 30 years of experience protecting the civil rights of youth, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. Her work includes policy development and review, litigation and settlement enforcement, and training and technical assistance. Prior to her retirement from federal service in 2020, Shelley worked for three federal civil rights agencies as an attorney, policy analyst, and supervisor, including nearly 10 years as a Deputy Section Chief in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). She joined Strategies for Youth (SFY) in 2022, working with SFY’s Executive Director to develop and implement the organization’s 12 Model Law Enforcement Policies for Youth Interaction. Shelley is knowledgeable about a wide range of substantive legal protections, including constitutional rights, disability discrimination statutes, special education law, and child welfare requirements. She also has extensive experience conducting training, serving as an internal resource on complex and novel issues, and engaging in public outreach.
To register for the webinar, click the "register" button below.
($25 for NACOLE members; $35 for non-members)Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 2:00 p.m. EDT
Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 02:00 PM
ZoomInvestigator Forum
NACOLE invites you to our online forum for oversight investigators on the third Thursday of every month at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
These monthly one-hour meetings, facilitated by NACOLE Board member and veteran investigator Jayson Wechter, are an opportunity to share information about resources, training, technology and online tools. They’re an open conversation where investigators can seek advice; discuss challenges, frustrations, and successes; and meet and network with professional colleagues around the U.S.
At each monthly meeting, Jayson shares information about useful websites for oversight investigators. A list of these websites can be found HERE.
If there’s a question or a subject you’d like to see discussed at an upcoming meeting, please email [email protected].NACOLE members and employees of agencies holding organizational memberships are invited to participate. There is no need to register for the forum, but please note that it is only open to the first 100 participants who join the online meeting. Simply click the link below to join us at 2:00 p.m. EDT:
JOIN MEETING NOW
Friday, April 25, 2025 at 01:00 PM
2025 NACOLE Webinar Series (April)
Understanding Civilian Oversight's Fast-Changing Legal Landscape
On Friday, April 25, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. EDT, NACOLE will welcome Sharon Fairley to discuss recent developments in state law as well as case law from jurisdictions around the country that impact how civilian oversight entities may be established and how they are permitted to operate. Since 2020, an increasing number of communities have either created civilian oversight or enhanced existing civilian oversight entities or structures. During this same time period, there have been substantial developments in the legal framework within which civilian oversight operates. For example, state legislatures have enacted a range of measures related to civilian oversight: some creating state law that is hospitable to civilian oversight, others establishing state law that limits the scope and powers of civilian oversight. In addition, in the past few years, civilian oversight entities have increasingly engaged in litigation regarding the legality of their establishment and the scope of their powers. Please join us for this timely webinar with an expert who understands civilian oversight from multiple perspectives.
Sharon Fairley, Professor from Practice
University of Chicago Law SchoolSharon Fairley is a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School and has taught at the Law School since 2015. She became a Professor from Practice in 2019. Sharon's teaching responsibilities include criminal procedure, policing, and federal criminal law. Before joining the Law School, Professor Fairley spent eight years as a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, investigating and trying criminal cases involving illegal firearms possession, narcotics conspiracy, bank robbery/murder, murder for hire and economic espionage, among other criminal acts. She also served as the First Deputy Inspector General and General Counsel for the City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General. In December 2015, following the controversial officer-involved shooting death of Laquan McDonald, Professor Fairley was appointed to serve as the Chief Administrator of the Independent Police Review Authority, the agency responsible for police misconduct investigations. She was also responsible for creating and building Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Professor Fairley's areas of academic inquiry focus on criminal justice reform with an emphasis on constitutional policing and police accountability. She frequently writes and speaks about use of force by law enforcement, civilian oversight of law enforcement, and other police reform strategies. Professor Fairley graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University with a BS degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and also holds an MBA in Marketing from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice.
To register for the webinar, click the "register" button below.
($25 for NACOLE members; $35 for non-members)Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 2:00 p.m. EDT
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 02:00 PM
ZoomInvestigator Forum
NACOLE invites you to our online forum for oversight investigators on the third Thursday of every month at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
These monthly one-hour meetings, facilitated by NACOLE Board member and veteran investigator Jayson Wechter, are an opportunity to share information about resources, training, technology and online tools. They’re an open conversation where investigators can seek advice; discuss challenges, frustrations, and successes; and meet and network with professional colleagues around the U.S.
At each monthly meeting, Jayson shares information about useful websites for oversight investigators. A list of these websites can be found HERE.
If there’s a question or a subject you’d like to see discussed at an upcoming meeting, please email [email protected].NACOLE members and employees of agencies holding organizational memberships are invited to participate. There is no need to register for the forum, but please note that it is only open to the first 100 participants who join the online meeting. Simply click the link below to join us at 2:00 p.m. EDT:
JOIN MEETING NOW
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 01:00 PM
Jail & Prison Oversight Quarterly Forum
NACOLE invites you to our quarterly online virtual forum for jail and prison oversight (JPO). The 2025 forums will take place on February 18, May 20, August 19, and November 6, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (Eastern Time). Noah Barth, NACOLE member and Prison Monitoring Director for the Pennsylvania Prison Society, will facilitate the forums.
The quarterly forum is an opportunity for those involved with JPO to virtually meet and network, and to discuss common issues and share information about training, technology, tools, and relevant resources. Forum attendees are encouraged to bring specific questions and resources related to JPO to the forum, as it is an opportunity to receive insight and suggestions from the collective community. If you would like to submit a question or a resource in advance, please email [email protected], with attention to Noah Barth.
NACOLE members and employees of agencies holding organizational memberships are invited to participate. Registration is not required; however, please note that the capacity for the forum is 100 participants.
To join the forum, simply click the link at the respective time: JOIN MEETING NOW
Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 02:00 PM
ZoomInvestigator Forum
NACOLE invites you to our online forum for oversight investigators on the third Thursday of every month at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
These monthly one-hour meetings, facilitated by NACOLE Board member and veteran investigator Jayson Wechter, are an opportunity to share information about resources, training, technology and online tools. They’re an open conversation where investigators can seek advice; discuss challenges, frustrations, and successes; and meet and network with professional colleagues around the U.S.
At each monthly meeting, Jayson shares information about useful websites for oversight investigators. A list of these websites can be found HERE.
If there’s a question or a subject you’d like to see discussed at an upcoming meeting, please email [email protected].NACOLE members and employees of agencies holding organizational memberships are invited to participate. There is no need to register for the forum, but please note that it is only open to the first 100 participants who join the online meeting. Simply click the link below to join us at 2:00 p.m. EDT:
JOIN MEETING NOW
Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 02:00 PM
ZoomInvestigator Forum
NACOLE invites you to our online forum for oversight investigators on the third Thursday of every month at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
These monthly one-hour meetings, facilitated by NACOLE Board member and veteran investigator Jayson Wechter, are an opportunity to share information about resources, training, technology and online tools. They’re an open conversation where investigators can seek advice; discuss challenges, frustrations, and successes; and meet and network with professional colleagues around the U.S.
At each monthly meeting, Jayson shares information about useful websites for oversight investigators. A list of these websites can be found HERE.
If there’s a question or a subject you’d like to see discussed at an upcoming meeting, please email [email protected].NACOLE members and employees of agencies holding organizational memberships are invited to participate. There is no need to register for the forum, but please note that it is only open to the first 100 participants who join the online meeting. Simply click the link below to join us at 2:00 p.m. EDT:
JOIN MEETING NOW
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 01:00 PM
Jail & Prison Oversight Quarterly Forum
NACOLE invites you to our quarterly online virtual forum for jail and prison oversight (JPO). The 2025 forums will take place on February 18, May 20, August 19, and November 6, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (Eastern Time). Noah Barth, NACOLE member and Prison Monitoring Director for the Pennsylvania Prison Society, will facilitate the forums.
The quarterly forum is an opportunity for those involved with JPO to virtually meet and network, and to discuss common issues and share information about training, technology, tools, and relevant resources. Forum attendees are encouraged to bring specific questions and resources related to JPO to the forum, as it is an opportunity to receive insight and suggestions from the collective community. If you would like to submit a question or a resource in advance, please email [email protected], with attention to Noah Barth.
NACOLE members and employees of agencies holding organizational memberships are invited to participate. Registration is not required; however, please note that the capacity for the forum is 100 participants.
To join the forum, simply click the link at the respective time: JOIN MEETING NOW
Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 02:00 PM
ZoomInvestigator Forum
NACOLE invites you to our online forum for oversight investigators on the third Thursday of every month at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
These monthly one-hour meetings, facilitated by NACOLE Board member and veteran investigator Jayson Wechter, are an opportunity to share information about resources, training, technology and online tools. They’re an open conversation where investigators can seek advice; discuss challenges, frustrations, and successes; and meet and network with professional colleagues around the U.S.
At each monthly meeting, Jayson shares information about useful websites for oversight investigators. A list of these websites can be found HERE.
If there’s a question or a subject you’d like to see discussed at an upcoming meeting, please email [email protected].NACOLE members and employees of agencies holding organizational memberships are invited to participate. There is no need to register for the forum, but please note that it is only open to the first 100 participants who join the online meeting. Simply click the link below to join us at 2:00 p.m. EDT:
JOIN MEETING NOW
Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 02:00 PM
ZoomInvestigator Forum
NACOLE invites you to our online forum for oversight investigators on the third Thursday of every month at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
These monthly one-hour meetings, facilitated by NACOLE Board member and veteran investigator Jayson Wechter, are an opportunity to share information about resources, training, technology and online tools. They’re an open conversation where investigators can seek advice; discuss challenges, frustrations, and successes; and meet and network with professional colleagues around the U.S.
At each monthly meeting, Jayson shares information about useful websites for oversight investigators. A list of these websites can be found HERE.
If there’s a question or a subject you’d like to see discussed at an upcoming meeting, please email [email protected].NACOLE members and employees of agencies holding organizational memberships are invited to participate. There is no need to register for the forum, but please note that it is only open to the first 100 participants who join the online meeting. Simply click the link below to join us at 2:00 p.m. EDT:
JOIN MEETING NOW