3rd Annual
Safety Of Our Cities
Conference 2025
Registration is Open
August 27 - 29, 2025
Hotel Albuquerque
800 Rio Grande Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
Public safety has evolved, and relying solely on traditional law enforcement is outdated. The Safety of Our Cities Conference explores the transformation of policing, highlighting innovative strategies, technology-driven solutions for restoring balance and security. It stresses the need for collaboration between law enforcement, technology experts, and communities to drive engagement and create more effective, equitable safety strategies. Embracing new tools and approaches are key to lasting change.
A message from the Chief
On behalf of the Albuquerque Police Department and Chief Harold Medina, we are honored to announce The One Albuquerque Fund in partnership with APD will be hosting the 3rd Annual Safety of Our Cities Conference, which will take place from August 27 to 29, 2025. This year marks the first time the conference will be held in the United States, and we are excited to be the host city.
Building upon the success of the inaugural meeting in Edmonton and last year’s gathering, hosted by Peel Regional Police, we continue to advance the conversation around community safety and well-being.
The conference will bring together law enforcement agencies and multi-sector stakeholders to collaborate and explore innovative solutions to the root causes of the challenges faced by cities. By working together, we can create safer, more resilient communities.
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We all share a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of the communities we serve, work in, and live in.
We look forward to welcoming you to Albuquerque for this vital conference.
Harold Medina
Chief, Albuquerque Police, Albuquerque, NM, USA
In Partnership
Thank you to our sponsors
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
Wednesday, August 27th, 2025
8:00 a.m. : Breakfast Provided & Registration
9:00 a.m. : Opening Ceremony
9:30 a.m. : Retired Chiefs Roundtable and Q & A
10:45 a.m. : Break
11:00 a.m. : Peel Regional Police; Modernizing Service Delivery Through Multi-Pronged Approach to Alternative Response
12:00 p.m. : Lunch Provided
1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. : Return from Lunch Break
1:30 p.m. : Sandia National Laboratory; Camera Placement Model
2:30 p.m. : Break
2:45 p.m. : Duologue Systems; An AI-Driven Support for Community Reintegration
3:45 p.m. : Break
4:00 p.m. : APD Real Time Crime Center; Reaching New Heights: How Drones Are Redefining the Limits for First Responders
5:00 p.m. : Closing Remarks
Keynote Speaker
Nick Noone
Nick Noone is the co-founder and CEO of Peregrine Technologies—a software engineering company that helps critical institutions unlock their data. By providing vendor-agnostic data integration and advanced analytical capabilities, Peregrine accelerates and improves how organizations make decisions and solve their most important problems. Peregrine is deployed by public safety agencies in hundreds of cities and counties across the United States, serving more than 80 million Americans.
Noone’s background lies in building advanced technology and engineering platforms for national and homeland security, and at the intersection of law enforcement, counterterrorism, and intelligence. Prior to Peregrine, Noone ran the U.S. Special Operations (SOCOM) business at Palantir Technologies and was responsible for the company’s global portfolio of military special operations deployments between 2012-2017. In this role, Noone was responsible for creating the special operations community’s real-time situational awareness platform, which is utilized by over 18,000 personnel across six continents.
Noone received a B.A. in Economics and an M.S. in Statistics from Stanford University.
SPEAKERS
More coming soon
2025 Chief's Round Table​​
Chief Stacey Graves
Chief Stacey Graves- Kansas City Police Department
Chief Stacey Graves, a lifelong Kansas Citian, began her career at KCPD in 1997 as a civilian records clerk. After joining the police academy in December of 1997, she held multiple assignments as a police officer including Central Patrol Division, East Patrol Division, the Drug Enforcement Unit and the Career Criminal Section. Graves was promoted to Sergeant in 2007. During her tenure as a Sergeant, she was assigned to Patrol, the Media Unit as a Public Information Officer and she was an Operations Sergeant in the Chief’s Office serving under Chief Darryl Forté. Promoted to Captain in 2014, Graves was assigned to Internal Affairs, returned to the Media Unit and Patrol. In 2018, she was promoted to Major. As Major, Graves was the Commander of Shoal Creek Division, Human Resources and served as the Executive Officer in the Patrol Bureau Office.
On December 15, 2022, twenty-five years after starting the police academy, Graves was selected to be the chief. At 48 years old, Graves became the 48th Police Chief in KCPD’s 148-year history also becoming the first woman as permanent chief.
Graves obtained her Associates Degree from Penn Valley. Graves went on to earn a B.A. in Administration of Justice from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and an Executive Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Leadership from Benedictine College.
Chief John Drake
Chief John Drake- Nashville Police Department
Chief of Police John Drake began his law enforcement career in his hometown of Nashville as a police officer in 1988 and continues to dedicate himself to the safety of Nashville’s families and visitors. Chief Drake celebrated his 36th anniversary with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department on March 16, 2024.
He was appointed Interim Chief in August 2020, and permanent Chief on November 30, 2020. Chief Drake quickly established three unwavering core pillars that guide the department daily: Organizational Excellence, Community Engagement, and Precision Policing.
Chief Drake’s police service started in the Patrol Division, before being assigned to the Vice Division’s Narcotics Unit to investigate mid to upper-level drug traffickers. From the Narcotics Unit, and with a passion to mentor youth, Chief Drake transferred to the Police Athletic League, where he began a basketball program for children. That program grew from 100 participants the first year to more than 1,300 participants in less than 5 years. Chief Drake also started a junior golf program which is now part of the First Tee initiative.
Chief Drake began seeking leadership roles in 2006, was promoted to sergeant in February 2007, and served as a patrol supervisor at the North Precinct. He next went to the Office of Professional Accountability, where he investigated internal allegations against both sworn and civilian police department employees. In 2010, following his promotion to lieutenant, Chief Drake was assigned to the Hermitage Precinct to lead its Investigations Unit, which handled cases ranging from homicide to misdemeanor theft. After four years as an investigative lieutenant, Chief Drake was promoted to captain (April 2014) and served as an overnight field supervisor for six months before being assigned to oversee the Domestic Violence Division as its first male captain. While there, Chief Drake helped start the lethality assessment program and detailed domestic violence supplements, which are still widely used today.
On September 1, 2015, Chief Drake was appointed commander of the Central Precinct, Nashville’s downtown business/entertainment district, which draws millions of tourist visits each year. On July 1, 2017, Chief Drake was appointed Deputy Chief over the newly created Support Services Bureau, which oversees SWAT, Special Events, Field Training Officers, School Resource Officers, Fleet Operations, Building Services, Parks, Warrants, Aviation and several other components within the police department.
In June 2020, Chief Drake was appointed Deputy Chief over the Community Services Bureau, which includes the department’s 8 precincts.
Chief Drake holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the College of Public Service at Bethel University. In August 2024, he was elected President of the Board of Directors for the Police Executive Research Forum, the nation’s preeminent independent research organization that focuses on critical issues in policing. He first joined PERF’s Board as secretary in September 2022. Chief Drake was selected 2023 Chief of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.
Chief Chad Kasmar
Chief Chad Kasmar- Tucson Police Department​
Chief Chad Kasmar is a native of Tucson, Arizona. He came to the Tucson Police Department in 2000, shortly after graduating from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He has also attended executive training with Harvard Senior Executives in State and Local Government, the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police, Arizona Chiefs of Police, FBINA Leadership Potential Course, and the Southwest Leadership Program through the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management. He is certified as a Hostage Negotiator, a Motor Officer, Bicycle Officer, an AZPOST General Instructor and an Ethics Post Basic Instructor.
Prior to being appointed Chief in 2021, he served as Interim Director of the City’s Public Safety Communications Department, where he led efforts to stabilize the department, reducing attrition and increasing staffing while moving from a co-located but separate police and fire 911 call center to a consolidated 911 call center.
Chief Kasmar has presented at various law enforcement conferences, including the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE). His awards include the Police Executive Research Forum Gary P. Hayes Award and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Chief Kasmar is a member of the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and a board member with the Arizona Associations of Chiefs of Police (AACOP), the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF), and the Arizona High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AZ HIDTA).
As the father two boys, Chief Kasmar is passionate about engaging youth in the community. He serves on the board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson and has since 2017.
Chief Nishan Duraiappah
Chief Nishan Duraiappah- Peel Regional Police​
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Chief Nishan Duraiappah was born in Sri Lanka and immigrated to Canada. He began his career with Halton Police in December 1995 where he served in a variety of assignments throughout his career.
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In October 2019, Chief Duraiappah was appointed Chief of Peel Regional Police and is committed to the safety and well-being of the community he serves, focusing on multi-sectoral collaborative partnerships to reduce risk.
Chief Duraiappah is a Board of Director for the Canadian Association of Chief’s of Police and is a Past-President of the Ontario Association of Chief's of Police 2022/2023. Chief Duraiappah is also the Canadian representative on the Board of the Major Cities Chief’s Association.
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Chief Duraiappah sits on several volunteer Boards, including the Runnymede Healthcare Centre and the SAAAC Autism Centre. He is a Senate Member for the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Infantry Regiments of The Lorne Scots, and The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
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Chief Duraiappah holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Criminology from the University of Toronto, and a Diploma of Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario.
MORE COMING SOON
Camera Placement Model
Sandia National Laboratory​​​​​​
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APD collaborated with the City’s Department of Technology and Innovation and volunteers from Sandia National Laboratories to create a data-driven model for strategic surveillance camera placement. Using five years of crime data, the model identifies optimal camera locations, angles, and heights to effectively capture criminal activity. It also assists in evaluating and repositioning existing cameras. The Department of Technology and Innovation supports implementation by managing infrastructure and deployment.
Senior Engineer
Rudy Garcia
Rudy Garcia is a Senior Engineer and the first Chief Architect for Space Mission Programs at Sandia National Laboratories. With over 33 years of experience in software research and data architecture, Rudy has developed a passion for data and its potential to fuel innovation and research in addressing the government's most challenging problems.
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Rudy holds a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of New Mexico (1987) and an MS in Computer Engineering from Boston University (1989). He has a strong foundation in data management disciplines, including Data Architecture, Data Security Management, and Data Quality Management, and has applied advanced concepts to multiple disciplines across Sandia. Throughout his career, Rudy has demonstrated expertise in designing and developing software systems that collect, transform, store, and retrieve data, and is widely recognized for his creative ideas and passion for solving complex problems.
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Rudy leverages his expertise in data management and software design to drive innovation and research in remote sensing systems, ground stations, and advanced data architectures. He continues to apply his passion for data and problem-solving to address the complex challenges of space-based missions, with a focus on developing advanced data analytics and visualization capabilities that enable insights and informed decision-making from the vast amounts of data generated by these systems.
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Business Operations Analyst
Aundre Marzulli
​​Aundre is a Business Operations Analyst at Sandia National Laboratories, where he leads the Complex Systems for National Security Business team. In this role, he oversees the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and control of over $20 million in annual projects within the data science and analytics domain. Aundre also plays a key role in managing relationships with various sponsors from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense.
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Throughout his tenure at Sandia, Aundre has successfully monitored and controlled more than 300 projects across multiple capabilities and sponsors. He has also facilitated monthly Project Management Community of Practice meetings, promoting the dissemination of valuable information and expertise within Sandia’s business community and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
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Aundre holds a Master of Business Administration in Operations Management from the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico and a Master of Science in Data Science from Eastern University.
Young Adult Court Diversion Program
Second Judicial District Court
Judge Cindy Leos ​​
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Judge Cindy Leos, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has a diverse legal background, including civil defense in Chicago and Albuquerque, as well as experience as a Children’s Court Attorney for Child Protective Services. She served as a Felony Attorney for the New Mexico Office of the Public Defender before establishing her own criminal defense practice. Elected in 2016 to the criminal division of the Second Judicial District Court, Judge Leos also presides over the Young Adult Court diversion program, which she helped develop in 2017.
Operation Enlightenment
Edmonton Police Service​​​​​​
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This presentation explores the growing issue of homeless encampments in North America, with a focus on Edmonton’s recent challenges. As encampments have expanded in both urban and rural areas, they’ve become pressing public health and safety concerns. Edmonton experienced a sharp rise in complaints, with large encampments linked to crime, violence, and gang activity. In response, the Edmonton Police Service, along with municipal, provincial, and community partners, launched a coordinated effort to dismantle encampments and connect vulnerable individuals to services through the Navigation & Support Centre.
Superintendent
Keith Johnson
​​​Currently in his 30th year with the Edmonton Police Service, Keith currently leads the Crime Suppression & Community Operations Division overseeing City-wide Community Safety Teams, transit policing, and the Service’s Encampment Strategy. His portfolio also includes High Risk Offenders, Warrant Apprehension, Behavioral Assessment Unit, the Duty Officer Branch which manages street operations, and the Operations & Intelligence Command Centre.
Keith has extensive leadership experience in all aspects of police management and operations including critical incident command, major events, and program/policy development.
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Inspector
Jared Hrycun
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​​​​​​​​​​​Jared is a 20-year member of the Edmonton Police Service and has led the Crime Suppression Branch since November of 2023. He has direct oversight of the Encampment Response Team, as well as several other units which provide a proactive response to crime and disorder throughout Edmonton.
Previous to his current role, Jared spent the majority of his career in organized crime and drug enforcement. He also maintains an active role in the service’s Public Safety Unit, overseeing crowd management and civil disorder.
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Duologue Systems
Leveraging Hapi – An AI-Driven Support for Community Reintegration
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Hapi is an innovative AI companion designed to support vulnerable populations as they navigate mental health crises and reintegration into the justice system. Available 24/7 via SMS and mobile platforms, Hapi AI offers trauma-informed, accessible guidance—reducing barriers to support and complementing traditional emergency response systems.
Founder
Shay Sharma
Advisor
Jessica DeVries
Shay Sharma is a technology innovator with over 8 years of experience in product development, AI integration, and digital transformation. She is the founder of Duologue Systems and CEO of Bluejarvis Technologies, where she leads the creation of impactful, user-centric digital solutions for government, non-profits, and social enterprises. Shay holds a Bachelor’s in Engineering from the University of Alberta and specializes in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and socially driven tech initiatives.
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Her notable projects include Ally, a mentorship platform for internationally trained physicians, and COLLAB., a civic engagement tool adopted by the City of Edmonton. She has also led AI model implementations for the Government of Alberta and BC Ferries. Committed to community impact, Shay supports the Indo Canadian Women’s Association and serves as Secretary on the board of Technology Alberta, contributing to the province’s growing tech ecosystem.
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Jessica DeVries is a research and evaluation specialist with over 12 years of experience supporting public sector organizations across Canada. As Director of Program Development at Pivotal Research, she leads complex, multi-stakeholder projects that integrate mixed-methods research, performance measurement, and applied evaluation. Jessica is known for her ability to manage high-impact initiatives from design through delivery—balancing technical precision with responsiveness to context and client goals. Her portfolio includes long-term tracking studies for transit authorities, regulatory performance reviews in health, and stakeholder engagement research to inform service delivery improvements.
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Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Community Engagement from the University of Alberta, where she received the Dean’s Gold Medal for her thesis on how formerly incarcerated women define success after prison. She is a Certified Analytics and Insights Professional and a member of the Canadian Evaluation Society.
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Since the inception of Hapi, Jessica has served as an advisor to Duologue Systems, contributing to the development of the SMS-based tool that supports individuals navigating reentry after incarceration. Her expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, and evaluation helps ensure Hapi is both evidence-informed and practically grounded. Her work is also shaped by nearly a decade of volunteer service with Correctional Service Canada and The Mustard Seed, supporting individuals as they transition back into the community. Jessica brings a deep commitment to equity, trauma-informed practice, and system-level impact.
Albuquerque Community Safety​ (ACS)
Director
Jodie Esquibel
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Jodie Esquibel is the Director of Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS), where she leads innovative initiatives to address mental health crises, homelessness, and substance use. With nearly two decades of experience in emergency medicine and public service, Jodie has a deep commitment to making Albuquerque a safer community. She looks forward to sharing her expertise in community safety at the "Safety of Our Cities" conference.
Modernizing service delivery through a multi-pronged approach to alternative response
Peel Regional Police​
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Peel Regional Police will highlight efforts to incorporate alternative service delivery practices into the core of its operating model as part of a broader philosophical shift centered on community safety and well-being. The session will explore the imperative of creating an organizational structure that allows alternative service delivery to thrive and the benefits of adopting an agile, multi-pronged approach to serving vulnerable populations who can be better supported in partnership with health and social service programs. Specifically, the workshop will outline the opportunities and challenges of adopting a centralized model under which various crisis response, partner mobilization and proactive outreach teams are being deployed.
Manager of
Community Safety & Well-Being
John Versluis
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Deputy Chief of Police
Mark Dapat
John Versluis is the Manager of Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) at Peel Regional Police where he supports a range of strategic and operational initiatives to achieve the Service's CSWB goals and objectives. This includes strengthening partnerships, supporting alternative approaches to service delivery, and managing initiatives to improve service to priority populations.
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Prior to joining Peel Regional Police in 2021, John had a 17-year career in the municipal social and community services sector where he was responsible for human service planning and investment initiatives to strengthen the safety and well-being of communities. John holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Victoria.
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Deputy Chief Mark Dapat began his career with Peel Regional Police in 1997 and currently leads the Community Safety and Well-being Command. In this role, he oversees Recruiting, Training, Organizational Wellness, Community Engagement, and Community Mobilization for both sworn and civilian members.
He serves as co-chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police’s Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee and represents Peel Regional Police on the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety and Well-being Committee.
Deputy Chief Dapat is dedicated to championing progressive, innovative programs that best serve the community while prioritizing the wellness and resilience of police members.
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Superintendent
Feras Ismail
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Superintendent Feras Ismail is a 24-year member of the Peel Regional Police (PRP) and has worked in various areas including Uniform Patrol, the Street Crime and Gang Units, the Intelligence Security Section, the Training Bureau, the Community Safety and Wellbeing Services area, and is now working in Divisional Operations Command.
A recognized counter-terrorism and hate crimes expert, his operational experience, coupled with his community engagement and crime prevention work, have enabled him to play a pivotal role in the development of various organizational policies and training programs designed to build internal capacity to prevent and respond to hate motivated crime and violent extremism. He has also supported the development of various units and initiatives within PRP’s Community Safety and Well Being Services area.
Supt. Ismail holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from McMaster University and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from the University of Guelph). He is a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) – Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Subcommittee, a member of the Canadian National Hate Crimes Task Force, and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) – Policy Centre Advisory Group (PCAG).
GET IN TOUCH
The conference is bringing together some of the foremost experts in community safety and well-being inclusive of law enforcement and a wide range of community partners. Please fill out the form to stay connected and receive updates on speakers, workshop topics and the conference agenda.
