MARY LAMPHERE AUTHOR

When I received the email from the Writers’ Police Academy stating it was their LAST, I quickly solicited a group of fellow writers to join me in Appleton, Wisconsin for five days. I was NOT going to miss this writers’ event with hands-on classes taught by top instructors, all professionals in the field.

Upon arrival, we immediately met a variety of writers from various places. The diversity of attendees was impressive. We met horror writers, sci-fi writers, mainstream writers, mystery-thriller-action authors, and romance writers from all across the country–and England and New Zealand as well! (One of our party is South African, but I’m sure that was impressive to others, lol.)

Thursday began with Touch A Truck. Public safety vehicles were gathered together in one massive room. Fire, CSI, and SWAT were all represented plus a variety of others including K9, police boats, and a drone demo. Highlight was a tie between the K-9 dogs we got to love on and the huge drone demo.

Orientation that evening included a presentation by photojournalist Mike De Sisti. After an impressive visual introduction of stories he’s covered, he spoke in detail about the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack. I found it very interesting to hear the story unfold from his perspective. Highlight was seeing the humanity of his photos in the aftermath of the tragedy. I wonder if there is a photojournalist television drama series–either as the protagonist or sidekick, ala Castle, The Mentalist, etc? If so, please share. If not, why not?!

Friday morning began super early for this gal, lol, with breakfast from 6 to 7 a.m. and bus departure to the NWTC Public Safety Training Complex at 7:15. Shortly after arrival, we witnessed a live scenario presented by the Green Bay Police S.W.A.T. Team. They proceeded to get an uncooperative suspect out of his vehicle safely and without escalating incident. There were pepper balls, a drone, an attack dog, and smoke grenade.

After the live demo, we separated to our classes.
First up for me was Firearms, presented by Ian Nishimoto and Ryan Peterson – We learned a lot about stance, angle, distance, and how to remove and properly hold the weapon. We used training weapons and fired at targets! (We were encouraged to aim for his nose.) Highlight was target practice.

After lunch, I attended the Crime Scene Investigation session with Holly Maas. Wow! 90 minutes was NOT long enough! This class was similar to the Forensics Camp I attended at Rock Valley, less hands-on but much more detailed. My biggest take-away was probably the fact that CSI focuses solely on the crime SCENE. Their job is to get in, get it all, and get out. They do not (usually) solve crimes, they secure the onsite evidence. Highlights were the funny stories about damaged crime scenes. Frustrating for the professionals, but humorous for us.

Pretty much every class leader referenced television shows as entertaining but wrong. The equipment they have to solve crimes in 43 minutes either doesn’t exist or would be so expensive that no facility could afford it.

My last session of the day was A Coroner’s Life. Ninety minutes was also not long enough. Curtis Green, the elected Coroner of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin states the coroner is “the protector of the living through the investigation of death.” Highlight was joking about using dental records as an identification tool. Do you know how many dentists there are?!

We did dinner on our own at The Cozzy Corner, Southern Food, Bar B Que, & Blues Music. Highlight was definitely the smoked barbeque chicken. Yum.

Back at the hotel, Mix and Mingle offered an opportunity for a cocktail and some socializing with other writers. We capped off the evening with Steven Spingola: The Spingola Files, and his presentation of his involvement with the Jeffrey Dahmer investigation. Interesting and disturbing. Highlight? Um . . .

Saturday began early as well. Breakfast and boarding bus by 7:15 a.m. on our way to the Universal Driving Facility.

My first session was Handcuffing with Neil Dorner/Matt Ninham. It was a very educational class. The instructor filled the 90 minutes with equipment, training, and procedures. He had videos and did a live demonstration of step-by-step instructions. We held the cuffs and learned proper ways to engage them. Highlight was definitely the participation of one of our classmates as he was put through a series of awkward positions. He was a good sport.

Next, I had Death by Powders & Pills with presenter, Nick Place. Another session that could have benefitted by being much longer! The course didn’t exactly live up to the title, lol, but it was very insightful all the same. Highlight was seeing how easy it is to press a pill!

My last class was Cold Cases with Bruce Robert Coffin. Fascinating session that should have been much longer. The leader spoke of several cases specifically and told how a case grows cold. Highlight to me was learning that unsolved murder cases are never closed, they continue to be investigated regardless of how long ago the crime occurred.

After the three classes and lunch at the facility, we boarded the buses for the lecture hall where we were riveted by guest speaker Dr. Katherine Ramsland as she spoke about The Candy Man’s Handyman . . . and Killer. She provided fascinating insight into script theory and the idea of temporary psychopathy. Highlights dealt with the details of the assistant criminals after the fact.

Back on the bus…return to the hotel…THE BOOKSTORE is OPEN! A local book shop set up with a selection of the event’s speakers’ publications. Highlight was the selection of Alfred Hitchcock Magazines featuring stories by some of the WPA contributors. I grew up with those stories and can’t wait to read new ones.

Mix and Mingle followed by the Banquet and Guest of Honor, Hank Phillipi Ryan. She is as fabulous a speaker as she is a writer. Dynamic, engaging, and quick-witted. (As exhibited with the ringing of someone’s phone during her address. Twice.) Highlights were the personal anecdotes that peppered her address.

Sunday morning, I grabbed a light breakfast and chatted with fellow authors. Meeting new people is always the highlightest highlight of any conference for me. We did not stay for the final panel discussion. BUT based on hints dropped like hand grenades by Lee Lofland, I’m pretty sure I’ll have the opportunity to follow up this fabulous Academy with future events. Not the WPA specifically, but I trust Lee and his crew to take care of us.

It got me to go because it was THE LAST, it gets me to return because it’s NOT. And the next will be equally awesome, I’m sure.

For an even more comprehensive and featuring a foreign perspective, check out Liesl’s WPA post here.