The Society for Police & Criminal Psychology is a multi-disciplinary group that encourages the scientific study of the criminal justice system and the application of behavioral science knowledge to problems in criminal justice, including law enforcement, judicial, and corrections elements. Consequently, it solicits participation from psychologists, psychiatrists, lawyers, police officers, corrections personnel, social workers, and other professionals involved in the scientific study of the criminal justice system.

Embracing Innovation and Change in Police and Criminal Psychology
2020 Conference in Providence, Rhode Island

President Ed Keane announces that SPCP 2020 will be held from Wednesday, September 30 through Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the Graduate Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island. Located in the center of downtown, the Graduate Providence is the redesigned Providence Biltmore.  The hotel is within walking distance of major universities, award-winning restaurants.  The hotel has many modern amenities and old-world charm.More Hotel Information

The 2020 Conference of the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology will be held in Providence, Rhode Island (known as the Creative City). Providence is a city committed to historical preservation but also offering a vibrant array of modern entertainment options, including the Tony Award-Winning Trinity Repertory Company and the nationally known Museum at the Rhode Island School of Design. Providence is also famous for a wide array of restaurants within walking distance of our hotel – the Graduate Biltmore. Also, don’t miss WaterFire – a multi-sensory evening art experience, highlighted by a series of wood burning bonfires installed on the three rivers flowing through the downtown area adjacent to our hotel. And lastly, of course, Providence is the Gateway to New England, with all it offers during the Fall Season. 

The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau has created a customized microsite exclusively for SPCP.  Here you will find detailed information about our HOTEL and destinations with pages specific to the interests of SPCP attendees.  Please use this link to make the most of your time in the Providence.
More About Providence

Downtown Providence is only 10 minutes from Warwick's Green International Airport (PVD).  Approximately 120 daily flights arrive at this airport daily.  The airport is accessible by train, bus, taxi or car. 

Call for Proposals

Our conference is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas, best practices, and cutting-edge research in the fields of police and criminal psychology. We want to hear from individuals in professional practice, academics, police officers, legal professionals, and students. This year we especially welcome presentations and posters that address the conference theme: Embracing Innovation and Change in Police and Criminal Psychology.

The deadline for submission of proposals for presentations or posters is May 15, 2020.  Presentations may be made by professionals only; students are not permitted to make presentations.  Experienced practicing professionals who are currently enrolled in a doctoral program may request to do a presentation. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis; please contact the CEU chair, JoAnne Brewster at brewstja@jmu.edu  . Students, including undergraduate and graduate students at any level, are encouraged to submit posters. There is an award and honorarium for the best student poster (see below for details). Professionals may also present posters if they prefer.

The primary (corresponding) author of proposals for presentations and posters will be notified about the status of their requests shortly after the submission deadline. Presenters are expected to register for the conference shortly after proposal decisions are distributed.  You must be a current 2020 SPCP member to access the registration form to register for the conference.  Once we receive your conference registration, your membership will be manually extended through 2020 within a few working days.If you have any questions regarding presentations or posters contact President Edward C. Keane (2020spcp@gmail.com) and copy JoAnne Brewster (brewstja@jmu.edu).

To ensure our conference’s ability to offer APA-approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs), every submission MUST include two learning objectives (requested on the submission form). After submitting the form, please email your current Curriculum Vitae (CV) to JoAnne Brewster (brewstja@jmu.edu). Your submission will not be considered complete unless it includes all the information requested on the form and your CV is received. Timely submission of your proposal and CV would be most appreciated.

Presentation and Poster proposals are submitted by completing an online form that is available when you click here.

Hotel Reservations

Reserve your room at the Providence Biltmore, our conference site for only $179.00/night plus tax.  Follow this link to make your reservation.  Alternatively, you can call the hotel (401 421-0700)  and request a reservation with the group code: 2009SFPACP.

Award and Honorarium for the Best Student Poster

The Society for Police & Criminal Psychology advocates for the pursuit of academic excellence by encouraging the submission of posters by current students at the undergraduate, masters, or doctoral level.  The Michael Serafino Award is given annually to the best student poster presented at our yearly conference. Posters are judged on scholarship, contribution to the fields of police and public safety psychology or criminal justice, and the quality of the poster presentation.  

Get further information about the Michael Serafino Award

Conference History

The Society sponsors an annual conference held in the fall of each year at varying locations throughout the United States. The conference focuses on the interface between criminal justice and the behavioral sciences. It includes presentations on international perspectives in policing, specialized police procedures and techniques, personnel issues in criminal justice agencies, the law, litigation issues, inmate populations, probation and parole, and other issues affecting individuals in the criminal justice system.

View locations and past presidents list

2019 Conference

Our 2019 conference was held at the Embassy Suites Hilton in Scottsdale, Arizona, September 22 - 25, 2019.

Click here to view the program.

2018 Conference

Our 2018 conference was held in Sarasota, Florida, September 30-October 3, 2018 at the Lido Beach Resort.

Click here to view the program.

2017 Conference

Our 2017 conference was held in San Diego, California, September 13-16, 2017 at the Doubletree by Hilton San Diego Downtown. 

Click here to view the program.

2016 Conference

Our 2016 conference was held in Austin, Texas, September 25-28, 2016 at the Marriott Austin South.

Click here to view the program.

2016 ACCOP Conference in Singapore

ACCOP was a tremendous success!  ACCOP was a unique opportunity to meet and exchange information with experts in the fields of law enforcement, criminal and operations psychology, and behavioral sciences from both Asia and the West.  More information   

2015 Conference

Our 2015 conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia, September 30 - October 3, 2015 at the Georgian Terrace.   

Click here to view program.

2014 Conference

The 40th annual meeting of the Society was held in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 17-20, 2014.  The conference program is available here.

2013 Conference

The 39th Annual Conference of the Society for Police & Criminal Psychology was held at the Marriott Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, , September 25- 28, 2013.  The conference program is available here.

2012 Conference

The 38th Annual Conference of the Society for Police & Criminal Psychology was held at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, November 7-10, 2012. The conference program is available here.

2011 Conference

The 37th Annual Conference of the Society for Police & Criminal Psychology was held at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, IL, October, 18-21, 2011. The conference included an International Summit day, with presentations from numerous international police psychologists.  The conference program is available here.

2010 Conference