More than ever, a law enforcement supervisor, administrator ,or executive must have the ability to explain police action and law enforcement's response to incidents. Having the ability to think critically and use best practices, case law, and sound understanding of force actions is crucial to explaining those actions. This presentation will provide much needed information and considerations for anyone who may have to articulate the actions taken by law enforcement officers.

Fred Farris began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the Kansas City, MO Police Department where he held positions in Metro Patrol, Narcotics, North Patrol and the Motorcycle Unit. In 1995 he was hired by the Lenexa, KS Police Department and spent the next 22 years with that agency, 20 of which were as a member and team leader of the Tactical Unit. Fred was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and supervised in Patrol, the Directed Patrol Unit, and the Investigations Division and also had the opportunity to build and supervise the agency's first full time training unit. In 2017 Fred was hired as the Chief of Police for the Goddard, KS Police Department and also served as the Training Committee Chair for the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police. In 2021 he was appointed as the Chief of Police for the Gladstone, MO Police Department. He has been a course developer and instructor for the NTOA and IACP since 2006 and has served on NIJ Technical Working Groups on Special Ops Mission Assessment, Equipment, and Excited Delirium. He also a member of the International Law Enforcement Forum (ILEF) and serves on the Patrol and Tactical Operations Committee for the IACP. Fred is a graduate of Park University and the University of Kansas Public Management Institute.