Draft:S.M.I.L.E. Conference
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Rodrigax (talk) 20:27, 17 September 2025 (UTC)
{{subst:AfC submission/COI|SMILE Conference}}
SMILE Conference
[edit]The Social Media In Law Enforcement Conference (branded as the SMILE Conference or SMILECon) is a training conference for public-safety professionals that focuses on the use of social media and open-source intelligence in policing. The acronym SMILE deliberately refers to *Social Media in Law Enforcement*—a branding that conveys the conference’s focus on public-safety communication—even though sessions also cover broader Internet technologies.[1]
Founded by LAwS Communications principal Lauri Stevens in 2010, SMILE is one of the earliest professional events devoted entirely to social media’s role in law-enforcement operations.[2] The conference provides hands-on training, keynote sessions, and workshops on topics ranging from digital community-policing and public-information strategies to investigative uses of social networks and officer safety. Because the program emphasizes information-sharing and collaboration, it has been credited with pioneering the adoption of social media by police agencies worldwide.[3]
History
[edit]- 2010, Washington D.C. – the inaugural SMILE Conference was held April 7–9, 2010 at the 1777 F Street building. Lauri Stevens described it as the first social-media conference designed specifically for law enforcement, aimed at giving officers “hands-on skills and the practical knowledge to enter the social-media world with confidence.”[4]
- 2011 (May), Chicago, Illinois – hosted by the Chicago Police Department, May 9–11. Coverage included officer safety, online victimization, social engineering, mobile video, geolocation threats, and more.[5]
- 2011 (September), Dallas, Texas – the fourth conference (Sept 28–30) emphasized public order, social activism, and the intersection of old and new media.[6]
- 2011 (October), Santa Monica, California – Police Magazine reported that sessions covered Facebook, Twitter, posting policies, cyber-bullying, and public expectations.[7]
- 2013 (September), Omaha, Nebraska – the eighth SMILE Conference hosted the ConnectedCOPS Awards, recognizing agencies for social-media innovation.[8] A GlobeNewswire release described it as the leading event for strategy, reputation management, and policy.[9]
- 2015 (October), Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada – hosted by the Niagara Regional Police Service, Oct 6–8, marking expansion into Canada.[10]
- 2023 – ownership change: the SMILE Conference brand was acquired from Lauri Stevens by Anthony Rodriguez, who announced plans to expand the conference.[11]
- 2024–present – promotional material described the addition of an iSMILE track devoted to investigative social media, with training in OSINT and forensics.[12]
Format and content
[edit]SMILE conferences typically run three days with workshops, plenary sessions, and interactive town halls. Topics have included:
- **Social-media strategy and policy** – how agencies market themselves and manage reputational risks.[13]
- **Community engagement and public order** – social media in community policing and crisis response.[14]
- **Investigative techniques and OSINT** – training on monitoring posts, preserving digital evidence, and archiving content.
- **Officer safety and privacy** – addressing social engineering and geolocation risks.[15]
- **Emerging platforms and technologies** – from Facebook/Twitter basics to Google+ and Foursquare.
ConnectedCOPS Awards
[edit]Since 2011, the SMILE Conference has hosted the ConnectedCOPS Awards, created by LAwS Communications to recognize law-enforcement use of social media. Categories have included excellence (large/small agency), leadership, civilian excellence, top cop, social-media investigator, and campaign management.[16]
Impact and reception
[edit]A 2011 *ABC7 News* report noted that founder Lauri Stevens argued it was “absolutely ignorant” for agencies to ignore social media, and stated the conference had grown to “international proportions” within three years.[17] The *Juvenile Justice Information Exchange* observed in 2013 that each SMILE conference emphasizes a distinct theme.[18] Commentators highlight its role in improving public communication, solving crimes, and enhancing officer safety.[19]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "SMILE Conference – Where Public Safety Meets Social Media". Social Media In Law Enforcement. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "First Social Media in Law Enforcement Conference to be Held in Washington DC". Police1. 2010. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement Conference to Be Hosted by Chicago Police Department". GlobeNewswire. 2011. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "First Social Media in Law Enforcement Conference to be Held in Washington DC". Police1. 2010.
- ^ "Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement Conference to Be Hosted by Chicago Police Department". GlobeNewswire. 2011.
- ^ "Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement Conference to Be Hosted by the Dallas Police Department". GlobeNewswire. 2011.
- ^ "Cops Tackle Social Media at SMILE Conference". Police Magazine. 2011.
- ^ "Cops and agencies awarded for social media excellence". Police1. 2013.
- ^ "LAwS Communications Announces Second Annual ConnectedCOPS Awards Finalists". GlobeNewswire. 2013.
- ^ "SMILE LE Social Media Conference to be Held in Canada in October". Police Magazine. 2015.
- ^ "SMILE Conference – Where Public Safety Meets Social Media". Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ^ "Best 2024 Law Enforcement Conferences". ADF Solutions. 2024.
- ^ "Cops Tackle Social Media at SMILE Conference". Police Magazine. 2011.
- ^ "Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement Conference to Be Hosted by the Dallas Police Department". GlobeNewswire. 2011.
- ^ "Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement Conference to Be Hosted by Chicago Police Department". GlobeNewswire. 2011.
- ^ "Cops and agencies awarded for social media excellence". Police1. 2013.
- ^ "Police learn how to better use social media to fight crime and keep people safe". ABC7 News. 2011.
- ^ "Law Enforcement Learns the Social Media Beat". Juvenile Justice Information Exchange. 2011.
- ^ "Police learn how to better use social media to fight crime and keep people safe". ABC7 News. 2011.