Society for Police and Criminal Psychology


Conference Louisville, Kentucky, USA
September 25 - 28, 2024

Join us for SPCP 2024 in Louisville Kentucky!  An evening reception is being planned at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.  Home of the Muhammed Ali Center and the Louisville Slugger Museum and FactoryLearn more about Louisville, Kentucky.

Call for Proposals

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, investigative and judicial processes, and corrections. We invite participation from researchers and scholars, as well as professionals who apply principles of psychology and counseling in their direct work with law enforcement and the criminal justice system.  This year we will be inviting greater participation by law enforcement professionals, so we also seek presentations that address practical issues that benefit officers directly and can contribute to officers’ continuing education.  We hope to develop a program that aligns with two themes:

Law Enforcement: A Profession of Honor.  Within this theme we seek presentations that focus on officer support and training, including such topics as law enforcement recruitment, training, and support; community orientation; emotional intelligence; effective interpersonal skills; de-escalation; and use of force.  Best practices and other contemporary issues of policing are welcome, including diversity and inclusion, pre-employment and fitness-for-duty assessments, and professional ethics.

Cutting Edge Insights: Psychology's Role in Criminal Investigation.  This theme is dedicated to presentations and discussions on topics such as criminal profiling (behavioral analysis), hostage and crisis negotiations, psychological aspects of crime, and other aspects of the integration of psychology into criminal investigations. It can also include innovative techniques in forensic psychology, the impact of mental health on criminal behavior, and strategies for interviewing and interrogating suspects.

SPCP seeks to promote the development of the field, so we encourage participation by students; we host a poster session to give students the opportunity to share their ideas. This year we especially welcome presentations and posters that address current issues that align with the conference themes, but all student poster submissions are welcome.

The deadline for submission of proposals for presentations or posters is May 1, 2024 Oral presentations may be made by professionals/academics only. Professionals/academics may also present posters if they prefer. Students, including undergraduate and graduate students at any level, are only eligible to submit posters. There is an award and honorarium for the best student poster.

Experienced practicing professionals/academics who are also 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.

The primary (corresponding) author of proposals for presentations and posters will be notified about the status of their request a few weeks after the submission deadline. Presenters are expected to register for the conference shortly after proposal decisions are distributed. Non-members are welcome to submit proposals, however, if your proposal is accepted, you must join SPCP and pay 2024 dues to register for the conference. If you have any questions regarding presentations or posters contact Dr. Marina Sorochinski (spcpconferenceproposals@gmail.com) and copy Dr. JoAnne Brewster (brewstja@jmu.edu).

To ensure our ability to offer APA-approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs), when you submit your proposal, you will be required to submit the following information with your proposal:

  • The name and contact information for the author who will receive correspondence from the program committee.
  • The name, highest degree earned, e-mail address, affiliation, and position title for each of the presentation or poster authors.
  • The exact title of your presentation or poster as it will appear in the program.
  • A presentation abstract that will appear in the conference program. (Limit: 2000 characters).
  • Three learning objectives for your presentation or poster.
  • The CV of the primary author. You may also attach additional CVs if you wish.
  • Three references (journal articles, book chapters, or books) that support the presentation content. (Because of APA CEU requirements, 3 supporting references are required for all presentations, but they are not required for professional or student posters.)
  • Conflict of interest disclosure. Because of APA CEU requirements, any potential conflict of interest must be briefly described on the submission form.

Please carefully prepare and proofread your submission. If accepted, details from your submission will be included in the conference program exactly as submitted. 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.

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL

Hotel Reservations

Stay at the Brown Hotel, a Louisville Landmark since 1923.  Conde Nast rated this hotel the #1 Hotel in the South. Tour the hotel.  A special conference rate of $209/night is available from Tuesday, September 24 through Sunday, September 29.  Make your reservation here.

2023 Conference in Arlington Texas

View Conference Program
The full program, including author information and presentation abstracts is currently available.

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

Support our 2023 Conference Sponsors





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

2023 Conference

Our 2023 conference was held in Arlington, Texas, September 20-23, 2023.

Click here to view the program.

2022 Conference

Our 2022 conference was held in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, September 21-24, 2022.

Click here to view the program.

2021 Conference

Our 2021 conference was held online on Zoom, September 30-October 2, 2021.

Click here to view the program.

2020 Conference

Our 2020 conference was held online on Zoom, November 5-7, 2020.

Click here to view the program.

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.

2019 ACCOP Conference in Singapore

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

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

The 36th Annual Conference of the Society for Police & Criminal Psychology was held at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, September 20-23, 2010.  The conference program is available here.

 

Society for Police and Criminal Psychology

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