Page 6 - PCPA Spring 2026 Bulletin Magazine

PA CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION
THE 113TH PENNSYLVANIA
CHIEFS OF POLICE
ASSOCIATION ANNUAL
EDUCATION AND
TRAINING CONFERENCE
HAS BEEN FINALIZED
AND WILL BE HELD
MAY 31 THROUGH
JUNE 3 AT THE VALLEY
FORGE CASINO RESORT.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Colleagues,
A s we move into the spring season, I want to recognize the
professionalism and leadership demonstrated by police chiefs across
the Commonwealth. Agencies of all sizes continue to face complex
operational, legislative, and community challenges, and the work being done
every day by our members reflects the highest standards of the profession.
One constant remains clear: the strength of policing in Pennsylvania lies
in collaboration. Through regional partnerships, shared training, legislative
advocacy, and peer engagement, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police
Association continues to serve as a vital forum for professional dialogue
and collective problem-solving. An engaged and connected membership is
essential to that mission.
The 113th Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association Annual Education and
Training Conference has been finalized and will be held May 31 through June
3 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort. We have assembled an outstanding
lineup of speakers and training opportunities that address the evolving
challenges facing today’s law enforcement leaders. Conference registration
is now open, and I strongly encourage members to attend this premier
professional development event and take advantage of the opportunity to
learn, network, and engage with colleagues from across the state. I want
to thank the members of the Education and Training Committee and PCPA
Staff for all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
A continued priority of the Association is officer wellness. The demands
placed on law enforcement leaders and officers remain significant, and
sustaining our profession requires a deliberate and sustained focus on the
physical, mental, and emotional well-being of our people and their families.
Through the work of the PCPA Wellness Committee and related initiatives,
the Association is helping agencies build healthier organizations while
reinforcing the importance of wellness-focused leadership at every level.
In addition to our ongoing training and advocacy efforts, the Association is
advancing an important professional development initiative for police chiefs.
A chief-focused certification pathway—designed specifically for executive-
level law enforcement leadership—is moving from the conceptual phase
toward implementation, with work continuing in 2026. This initiative is
intended to recognize experience, education, and leadership development
while strengthening the profession statewide. Additional details will be
shared as this program continues to take shape.
Thank you for your continued engagement with the Pennsylvania Chiefs
of Police Association. I look forward to seeing many of you at the annual
conference and to continuing our work together in the months ahead.
Stay safe and stay engaged.
David L. Lash
President, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association
Chief of Police, Northern York County Regional Police Department
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