Keynote Speaker 2020

Thursday, April 30, 2020
During the ILACP Annual Conference
Oak Brook, Illinois

1330-1700 CT

Gordon Graham is an internationally recognized 33-year veteran (retired) of California law enforcement and a practicing attorney with a background and formal education as a risk manager. He is also the co-founder of Lexipol.

Gordon combines his vast knowledge in multiple areas with great humor to educate attendees on how to better protect themselves, their employer, their profession and their families. He has been delivering thoughts on risk to audiences around the world for more than 40 years.

Whether it's your first time experiencing Gordon's high-energy, information-filled approach or if you're a longtime fan, you're sure to leave with new ideas to improve your agency's policies and practices.

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and Lexipol, the nation's leading provider of law enforcement policies and training, are proud to present a program by risk management expert Gordon Graham. This four-hour program will provide insight into the myriad risks law enforcement agencies face and how the discipline of risk management can help law enforcement leaders develop strategies to address risk.

Course Description

In any occupation or profession, but especially high-risk professions such as law enforcement, it's important for leaders to distinguish between the "proximate" causes of tragedies and the "root" causes. Gordon will begin with an explanation of these concepts, the huge difference between them and why understanding the difference is so critical for building appropriate systems to prevent similar tragedies.

Gordon will next introduce attendees to the "Rules of Admiral Hyman Rickover." Although undertakings such as the Manhattan Project and the development of the Space Shuttle are commonly cited as examples of scientific collaboration and accomplishment, the technological feat achieved by Admiral Rickover and his team in building the nuclear navy was equally incredible. Part of Admiral Rickover's legacy lies in a series of "rules" he developed to prevent nuclear-related tragedies in the Navy.

Rickover's rules—continuous improvement, quality personnel, effective supervision, respect for risk, constant and rigorous training, viable audits and continuous learning—can benefit all leaders involved in high-risk occupations. Gordon will use the rules as a foundation to help attendees develop strategies to improve individual agency performance and enhance effectiveness on multiple-agency events.

Gordon will also share essential information about the value of the risk management discipline—a formalized process of identifying and evaluating risks and developing strategies today to eliminate future problems. Attendees will learn how to "recognize, prioritize and mobilize" by identifying issues that have caused problems for similarly situated law enforcement organizations.