Union County Sheriff's Office Instructors Attend Training Conference in St. Louis

Photo from the UCSO Facebook page.

Blairsville, GA — Two instructors from the Union County Sheriff's Office recently returned from the 2026 International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, where they enhanced their skills to better serve and protect the community.

Last month, Lt. Walker and Sgt. Pilote traveled to the conference, held March 16-21 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. The event drew more than 600 attendees from around the world and featured over 150 courses spanning six days, making it the largest gathering of law enforcement trainers globally.

The ILEETA Conference aims to inspire excellence in law enforcement training and education by developing exceptional instructors, sharing best practices, and building a global community focused on lifelong learning, leadership, and public safety.

The two Union County representatives maximized their time by splitting up to attend as many sessions as possible. Topics included instructor and course development, live-fire instruction, investigation procedures, Taser Instructor certification, courtroom testimony, AI innovation in law enforcement, and panels featuring renowned experts in areas such as use of force and firearms, among many others.

A standout aspect of the trip was its cost-effectiveness for local taxpayers. Lt. Walker and Sgt. Pilote secured scholarships from ILEETA that covered tuition and lodging for the entire week, keeping expenses to a minimum.

"This reaffirms Sheriff Dyer's commitment to having a highly trained and dedicated staff while minimizing expense to our community," the Union County Sheriff's Office stated in a recent Facebook post.

Sheriff Shawn Dyer, who took office on January 1, 2025, has emphasized professional development and efficient use of resources for the full-service agency responsible for patrol, investigations, and other critical functions in Union County, Georgia.

The knowledge and skills gained by Lt. Walker and Sgt. Pilote are expected to strengthen training programs within the sheriff's office, ultimately benefiting public safety across the region.