Albany Technical College (ATC) will host the second annual Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement (CJLE) Summit on Wednesday and Thursday, August 13–14, 2025, at the Kirkland Conference Center and Logistics Education Center Auditorium on the ATC campus. This year’s theme, “Law & Order: Bridging the Gap Between Justice and Peace,” will guide two days of training, dialogue, and collaboration among law enforcement professionals, educators, and students.

The summit will explore current challenges and opportunities in criminal justice, including sessions on officer safety and wellness, mental health crisis response, ethics in community policing, technology in crime prevention, and the future of recruitment in law enforcement.

Dr. Emmett Griswold, President of Albany Technical College, will deliver opening remarks alongside summit coordinator Kenn Singleton, Associate Vice President for Academics and Emergency Management. Distinguished guests include law enforcement leaders from Albany State University, the Technical College System of Georgia, the City of Albany, Dougherty County, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“This event continues to serve as a cornerstone for professional development in our region,” said Singleton. “We’re proud to provide a platform for honest conversations, shared strategies, and innovative approaches to community safety.”

2025 CJLE Summit Schedule Highlights:

Day 1 – Wednesday, August 13

• Mental Health Crisis Management – Shona Jones-Bennett, ATC

• Use of Force Policies & Civil Rights – Ron Reed, FBI (Ret.)

• Technology & Surveillance in Criminal Justice – Jay Carpenter, Invision Technologies

• Officer Wellness & Safety in Action – Chief Rob Connolly, Georgia Tech PD

• Human Trafficking & Law Enforcement Response – Chief Jacques Battiste (Ret.), FBI LEEDA

• Evening Networking Reception – Merry Acres Event Center (6:00–9:00 PM)

Day 2 – Thursday, August 14

• “Near Miss: Officer Safety and Lessons Learned” – Panel featuring Chief Michael Persley (moderator) and Albany Police Department officers: Officer Lindsay McCall Long (Ret.), Sgt. Tim Harvey, Cpl. Alexander Price, Cpl. Dillard Glover, and Ptl. Andrew Hatcher

• Ethics in Leadership & Community Policing – Dr. Anita Allen, ASU PD

• Real-Time Crime Centers – Lt. Ben Jones (Ret.)

• Recruitment, Retention, and the Next Generation – Multi-agency panel discussion

• Conflict Resolution & Leadership in Justice – Dr. Victor Powell

Topics Covered:

• Mental Health in Policing

• Community Trust & Ethics

• Real-Time Crime Tech

• Officer Wellness & Resilience

• Recruitment & Retention

• Human Trafficking

• Civil Rights & Use of Force Policies

The event is supported by key sponsors, including the Albany Police Department, Albany Tech Foundation, FBI LEEDA, and Invision Technologies.