Fees and Registration: $220.00

This class has available seating. Please click the Register Now link at the top of this page.

The easiest way to register a group of individuals is using our online system. To choose group registration, click the registration link at the top of this page. Login to our system or create an account. Then, on the registration page, click the second blue button indicating group registration for your agency. On the following screen, click the green button that says “Register an Attendee” and search for attendees you wish to register. Follow the prompts to complete the registration process.

Cancellation Policy:

Effective 8/1/18

All cancellations and substitutions MUST be in writing and directed to the CPOA Training Coordinator @ kseibles@cpoa.org.  All refunds will be processed within 30 days from the written date of the cancellation request.

Cancellations made 30 calendar days or more from the first day of your registered course will be refunded minus a $30 cancellation fee.

Cancellations made 29 calendar days to 10 calendar days from the first day of your registered course will receive a 50% refund.

Cancellations made 9 calendar days or less from the first day of your registered course are NOT eligible to receive a refund.

*Registrants who cannot attend a course are strongly encouraged to find a substitution.

Thank you!

Substitution Policy:

CPOA encourages you to make a substitution if a student cannot attend the course; substitutions will be accepted prior to the course in writing and on-site.

*Registration Policy:

CPOA will not register anyone for a class unless payment has been received in full. If you are not able to provide payment with registration you may provide a credit card to hold the seat. However, all students must be paid in full 10 days prior to the class. If payment is not received and a card has been given to hold the seat, it will be charged.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Pablo – Richmond

Courtyard Richmond Berkeley

Hyatt House Emeryville

Four Points San Francisco Bay Bridge,

Who Should Attend:

The class is designed for anyone who is currently assigned to or may be expected to conduct internal affairs investigations in the future. Officers and civilians who want to improve their internal investigative skills or are planning on promoting soon are also welcome to attend.

Instructors:

Dave Nighswonger 

Dave Nighswonger is a retired Commander with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. His 30 years of service included a variety of operational and support assignments as a supervisor, manager, and executive. Dave served as the Commander of the Professional Services Command and Captain of the Professional Services Division where he developed many years of expertise in the areas of personnel management, Internal Affairs investigation, human resources, accountability and risk management systems.

He is passionate about the role of progressive management in addressing the challenges facing modern law enforcement and has devoted his post-retirement career teaching for various institutions to include Union Institute and University, the California Peace Officers Association, the Orange County Regional Training Facility, Goldenwest College, PMW & Associates, and the Ben Clark Training Center. He holds P.O.S.T Basic, Intermediate, Supervisory, and Management certificates along with a Bachelor’s Degree from Cal State Long Beach and a Master’s Degree from American Military University. Dave is happily married and has six children.

Dennis Vrooman

Dennis Vrooman retired as Undersheriff of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in 2022, after a 37-year career in law enforcement. Prior to being appointed Undersheriff, Dennis was the Support Division Captain with the Murrieta Police Department.

Dennis began his career with the Downey Police Department in 1985 and has served at Murrieta PD for 21 years. He has served in several different roles and assignments within his current organization including Patrol, Field Training Officer, Detective, Narcotics Task Force Officer and Corporal; As a Sergeant he was assigned to Patrol, Administration and the department’s Special Enforcement Team. During his tenure as Lieutenant, he was assigned to Patrol and Detectives.

Dennis was the Police Association President for over 9 years and is currently the President of the Police Management Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Regents College and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI) Class #187 and the FBI National Academy, Session #242.

Dennis is also an Adjunct Faculty at Riverside Community College and has taught several law enforcement classes for the past 14 years. He has been an Advisory Board Member for Safe Alternatives for Everyone (SAFE) since 2005 and has been a board member for the Family Justice Center since 2011. From 2020 to 2022, Dennis served on the Board of Directors of CPOA.

Larry Gonzalez 

Police Chief Larry Gonzalez is a 27 year veteran of the Riverside Police department. He was hired as a Police Officer in September 1993 where he worked as a Field Training Officer, Gang unit investigator, and a member of the Department’s Defensive Tactics training unit. In November 2001, Larry was promoted to Sergeant. As a Sergeant, he worked as a patrol Sergeant and was later transferred to the Chief’s office where he worked as the Personnel and Training Sergeant. Larry was the department Training Coordinator during the time the department was under the Attorney General’s stipulated agreement. He played a pivotal role in meeting the training demands during that time period.

In March 2005, Larry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, Larry worked as a Watch Commander, the East NPC Area Commander, SWAT & Aviation Commander, and the Support Services Lieutenant. He also held collateral assignments as the K9 Commander and Force Training Unit manager. In May 2015 Larry was promoted to Captain where he maintained management over site of the Support Services Division, (Personnel, Training, Internal Affairs, Records and Dispatch). In May 2017 Larry was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of Police and is currently Chief of Police over 400 sworn Police Officers.

Larry has been an instructor at the Riverside Sheriff’s academy for over 20 years where he teaches Use of Force, Laws of Arrest, Defensive Tactics, civil liability and various Supervision courses. He is recognized throughout the state in both State and Federal court as Subject Matter Expert in Police Use of Force. He has been a panelist and guest speaker at several venues related to Use of Force in Law Enforcement.

Larry graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Workforce Education and Development. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy class #233 in 2008, and Senior Management Institute for Police by PERF in August 2016.