Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to inform you that we will be holding the EUROPEAN POLICE TRAINERS CONFERENCE on 23 – 24 February 2026 at the exhibition centre in Nuremberg.
We are cooperating with ENFORCE TAC (https://www.enforcetac.com/en), which is taking place at the same time (23 – 25 February). For the first day of the conference on 23 February, we will have access to the Congress Centre, and on 24 February, an exhibition hall will be available for practical training (https://www.enforcetac.com/en/all-about-the-exhibition/floorplan).
EPTC participants receive free access to the ENFORCE TAC® (23 – 25.02.2026).
Event details
Date
23. / 24.02.2026
Cost
199,02 – 297,50 €
Venue
NürnbergMesse GmbH
Messezentrum 1
90471 Nürnberg, Germany
Organizer
Polizeitrainer in Deutschland e.V.
Phone: +49 (0) 61 28 97 09 49
Email: info@polizeitrainer.de
Programme – 1st conference day
Program – 1st conference day
Monday, 23.02.2026, 09.00 – approx. 17.15 hrs
Welcome EPTC
Eckhard Niebergall
1st Chairman of the Police Trainers in Germany e.V.
- 1975 – 2017 Member of the Hessian Police Force
- until 1998 service at the police headquarters Frankfurt am Main
- Licensed weapons instructor (national & international)
- Instructor for tactics, close combat, personal protection
- Co-developer of INTERACT DEFENSE® TRAINING
- 1998 – 2017 Instructor at the Hessian Police Academy
Violence against emergency forces
- The situation in major European and German cities
- The influence of the media and “experts”
- The role of politics and the judiciary
- Outlook for future developments and measures
Speaker: Manuel Ostermann
Manuel Ostermann (born September 29, 1990, in Rheine) is a police officer with the Federal Police. Since 2023 ee is the first deputy chairman of the German Police Union Federal Police and politician (CDU) with a focus on domestic policy.
Ostermann is assigned to the Mobile Control and Surveillance Unit of the Federal Police Department in Sankt Augustin at the Essen office as a federal police officer.
He is an expert advisor to the interior committees of various state parliaments and the Bundestag.
Violent crime as a lifestyle
- Gang warfare in the capital
- The “Mocro Mafia”
- Distribution struggles and warrior mentality
- “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” – Firearms and knives
Speaker: Ralf Schmidt
Chief Inspector (retd.)
- Defensive tactics- and shooting instructor for special units
- Hesse University for Public Management and Security
Use of "close support technology" in high-risk operations
- Current development status and applications of drones and small robots as “scouts”
- Legal and tactical considerations
- Future forecasts
Speaker: N.N.
New training opportunities through virtual reality
- VR-supported action training by the German Armed Forces
- Possible applications for police operational training
Speaker: Frank Jaspers
has been working at the Weapons and Ammunition Technical Service for more than 30 years. After working in the field of telecommunications technology and ergonomics, he has been involved in the development of new extended reality applications for the Bundeswehr for over 10 years. This work has enabled him to establish the AR, VR and MR department at WTD 91. In addition to managing the department, he is also the project manager for the first digital pilot firing range.
Use of firearms against knife attackers
- Assessment of police operations by public prosecutors and courts
- The role of superiors and politicians
- Selection of defence lawyers & testimony in criminal proceedings
- Influence of the media on public perception
- Analyses, conclusions and consequences for emergency services and trainers
Speaker: Helgo Martens
Born in Kiel in 1968; after graduating from high school in 1989, served as a regular soldier in the military police force of the German Armed Forces; subsequently studied law in Kiel and trained for the higher police enforcement service in the Federal German Border Police (BGS) Criminal Police Service at the Police Management Academy in Münster-Hiltrup; since 2002, several management assignments in the Federal Police (until 2005 BGS); currently head of the Federal Police Crime Investigation Division in Hamburg; many years of part-time teaching activities, including as a lecturer in the joint council training of the Federal Police and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and in special criminal police training at federal and state level. Lecturer in the joint council training of the Federal Police and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and in the special criminal police training of the federal and state governments; editor and editorial contribution to commentaries on the BPolG and the LVwG SH as well as several articles in specialist journals on legal and police tactical issues;
Private martial artist since 1983, including karate, kickboxing and FMA.
New Technology for Low-Light Operations
- The effects of low light on the human body
- New technologies in lighting systems.
- The use of lighting systems in response to ambushes.
- High-performance candela technology.
- The basics of how to deploy the correct techniques and equipment in a low-light environment.
- How other new technologies affect low-light operational readiness
Speaker: Robert Cole
Robert is a United States Marine Corps Veteran with 10 years of service. He was an infantry Sergeant and deployed to multiple countries, including Afghanistan, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Guam, and Australia. His personal awards include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 2nd award. He served as the Assistant Operations Chief for the Regimental Operations office aboard The Basic School at MCB Quantico, Virginia, training new Marine Corps officers, where he oversaw all logistical support for training. Robert currently teaches Team One Networks Low Light/ Laser Instructor course, Shoot House Instructor course, Pistol Mounted Optics Workshop, Mechanical Breaching Instructor course, and Tactical Ballistic Instructor course. Robert is currently a certified armorer instructor for: Benelli M1,2&4, CZ P-10, Springfield XD/XDm/MOD.2, S&W M&P pistol, and S&W M&P rifle. Robert currently serves on the IALEFI (International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors) Board of Directors and is the Director of Training for Team One Network.
The Police Instructor as Leader in Law Enforcement
- Leadership in the Moment: Decisions you make today define the leader you are becoming and the legacy you will leave behind.
- Credibility and Consistency: Trust and competence are the foundation of influence in every training environment.
- Modeling Excellence: Your behavior, attitude, and preparation set the standard for others to follow.
- Communication with Purpose: Clear, values-based communication strengthens relationships and builds respect.
- Resilience and Growth: The best instructors adapt, learn, and lead through change without losing sight of their values.
- The Oak Tree Legacy: Reflect on how strength, stability, and self-discipline allow you to plant the seeds of leadership in those you train. The difference we make tomorrow is determined by the seeds we plant today.
Referent: Joe Willis
Joe Willis is a retired US Army Military Police First Sergeant who currently serves as Deputy Executive Director for the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) and was a founding board member of First H.E.L.P. From 2005 to 2009, Joe was an Operations Sergeant for Military Police at Wiesbaden Army Airfield.
Opportunities and risks in the field of IT for deployment and monitoring
- The future of IT monitoring
- Self-protection from an IT perspective – detection of emergency services by the opposing side
- Protecting police operations (AAO/BAO)
- Modern security technology in the patrol car of the future
Speakers: Ingo Leunissen & Jörn Graser
Ingo Leunissen
PID member and BKA Wiesbaden
- Head of Unit OE23 TKÜ (Telecommunications Surveillance)
- Technical management of various projects in the field of telecommunications surveillance.
- Long-standing member of the KomGÜT (Commission on IT Fundamentals in Surveillance Technology) and the resulting federal/state working groups.
- 1988 Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Otto Lilienthal University of Applied Sciences in Bautzen.
- 1993 Bachelor’s degree from the Cologne/Brühl University of Applied Sciences (FHB) specializing in General/Internal Administration.
- 1996 Entry into the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), last assignment deputy Head of Unit OE23 – TKÜ.
- 2019 Head of Unit T4 “Senior Experts TKÜ/ITÜ” at ZITiS (Central Office for Information Technology and Telecommunications) in Munich
- 2022 to May 2023 Acting Head of the Telecommunications Business Unit at ZITiS
Specialist in the field of telecommunications services and IT of the future
Jörn Graser
PID member and 40 years with the Hessian State Police
- 1985 Training and Riot Police – Reconnaissance and BFE
- 1991 Police Headquarters Frankfurt, Criminal Investigation Department
- 1995 Police Headquarters Frankfurt/Main – Special Forces – MEK
- 2005 State Criminal Police Office Wiesbaden – Technical Advisory Group – MEK-OT
- 2023 Deputy Head of the Special Forces in the State Criminal Police Office Hesse
Stress and regeneration for operational staff and managers
- Better stress management and long-term performance
- Biofeedback for sustainable operational capability in everyday police work
Speaker: Corinna Rott
- Work and organizational psychologist specializing in stress, emotion regulation, and leadership behavior in high-risk and emergency contexts (police, military, emergency medicine).
- Doctoral candidate in a dual PhD program (Maastricht & Antwerp), specializing in multimodal stress measurement (HR/HRV, smart wearables) and operational research under real-world conditions.
- Founder of FieldLAB, which focuses on the use of biofeedback in special forces and intervention units; research on stress patterns, team dynamics, and recovery processes among operational leaders.
- Lecturer for police forces in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, the USA, and China.
- Former health care professional and nurse specializing in crisis intervention and psychophysiological stress patterns—with a strong passion for combining practical knowledge and research.
Law Enforcement fitness: Current and Future Challenges
- The impacts of poor recruit and officer fitness
- Fitness testing and its uses in law enforcement
- Fit to Serve: Creating Evidence-Based Fitness Standards for Police
- Beyond the Beep Test: Understanding Fitness Assessments in Policing
- Physical conditioning for specialist police
- Elite Conditioning: Preparing Specialist Units for High-Risk Operations
- Mission-Ready: Physical Preparation for Specialist Police Tasks
- Optimising load carriage requirements for law enforcement
Speaker: Robin Marc Orr
Professor Rob Orr joined the Australian Army as an infantry soldier before transferring to the Australian Defence Force Physical Training Instructor (PTI) stream and subsequently to the physiotherapy stream. Finishing full time service as a Human Performance Officer, Rob joined the team at Bond University in 2012.
Professor Orr is currently the Director of the Tactical Research Unit, a Health Sciences and Medicine faculty research centre at Bond University with international collaborations designed to provide research, consultancy, and education services to tactical professions. Rob’s fields of research, consultancy, and education provision spans physical conditioning, reconditioning, rehabilitation, and injury prevention for law enforcement, defence forces, firefighters / first responders, and paramedic agencies around the globe and across the occupational lifespan (initial trainee to specialist).
Professor Orr served as editor for the National Strength and Conditioning Association Tactical Strength and Conditioning Technical Report (2015-2020) and on committees for the International Physical Employment Standards Conference, the International Congress on Soldiers’ Physical Performance, and the World Physiotherapy Congress. With over 350 academic research papers and technical reports for tactical agencies, Rob has won awards for research outcomes, publications, presentations, and teaching. Professor Orr has presented keynote presentations at internationally renowned organisations.
Edged Weapon Attacks in 2025 Policing
- What we now know, and how it can help us prepare
- The Zero Pressure principle for counter weapon tactics, and how it can save your life
- The TRICOM A.C.T. formula for Close Quarters Conflict. A guideline for training and tactics
Speaker: Jared Wihongi
Jared Wihongi is a full-time International Close-Quarters Combat (CQC) Instructor. For 20+ years, his TRICOM self-defense system has been taught to police/ military trainers and special operations personnel around the world. It was first introduced to police trainers in Germany in 2006 and has been taught go German police at an institutional level as recently as 2024. The TRICOM system is a full integration of empty-hands tactics, weapon and counter-weapon tactics (both edged and impact) with a full integration of firearms tactics at extreme close-quarters. Jared has worked 25+ years as a police officer, police academy trainer, and operator on three U.S. SWAT Teams (both full-time and Reserve status). He was contracted as an Army Special Forces Combatives Instructor for almost two decades, and has trained police trainers across North and South America, Europe, East and Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. In addition to these experiences, Jared has trained in multiple traditional martial arts for 40+ years, and holds multiple Black Belts to include a Grandmaster rank (Grand Tuhon) in the Filipino martial art of Pekiti Tirsia Kali. These experiences collectively have heavily influenced his approach to teaching defensive tactics and CQC.
Members of authorities with security duties, the professional fire brigade, judges, public prosecutors and professional soldiers are entitled to participate.
Seminar language:
German / English simultaneous translation
Programme – 2nd conference day
Program 2nd day – Practical training
Tuesday, 24.02.2026, 08.45 – approx. 17.00 hrs
Practical team training in virtual reality
Frank Jaspers
has been working at the Weapons and Ammunition Technical Service for more than 30 years. After working in the field of telecommunications technology and ergonomics, he has been involved in the development of new extended reality applications for the Bundeswehr for over 10 years. This work has enabled him to establish the AR, VR and MR department at WTD 91. In addition to managing the department, he is also the project manager for the first digital pilot firing range.
CQB and Corner Training
S. Schmidt «Sly»
For 27 years in law enforcement, including 20 years with the TIGRIS Tactical Team at fedpol. Mission commander and chief close combat instructor, as well as an international expert in protective services, shooting and operational tactics. Active worldwide as a trainer for special operations units.
Low Light Operations
Robert Cole
is a United States Marine Corps Veteran with 10 years of service. He was an infantry Sergeant and deployed to multiple countries, including Afghanistan, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Guam, and Australia. His personal awards include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 2nd award. He served as the Assistant Operations Chief for the Regimental Operations office aboard The Basic School at MCB Quantico, Virginia, training new Marine Corps officers, where he oversaw all logistical support for training. Robert currently teaches Team One Networks Low Light/ Laser Instructor course, Shoot House Instructor course, Pistol Mounted Optics Workshop, Mechanical Breaching Instructor course, and Tactical Ballistic Instructor course. Robert is currently a certified armorer instructor for: Benelli M1,2&4, CZ P-10, Springfield XD/XDm/MOD.2, S&W M&P pistol, and S&W M&P rifle. Robert currently serves on the IALEFI (International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors) Board of Directors and is the Director of Training for Team One Network.
Defence against cutting and stabbing weapons at medium and close range / Police close combat and defence against knife attacks
TRICOM Edged Weapon Countermeasures for Law Enforcement
- Pragmatic, real-world solutions to edged weapon based attacks.
- Dynamic decision making processes that drive techniques, tactics and procedures.
- Police specific weapon integration tactics to enhance survivability.
Jared Wihongi
Jared Wihongi is a full-time International Close-Quarters Combat (CQC) Instructor. For 20+ years, his TRICOM self-defense system has been taught to police/ military trainers and special operations personnel around the world. It was first introduced to police trainers in Germany in 2006 and has been taught go German police at an institutional level as recently as 2024. The TRICOM system is a full integration of empty-hands tactics, weapon and counter-weapon tactics (both edged and impact) with a full integration of firearms tactics at extreme close-quarters. Jared has worked 25+ years as a police officer, police academy trainer, and operator on three U.S. SWAT Teams (both full-time and Reserve status). He was contracted as an Army Special Forces Combatives Instructor for almost two decades, and has trained police trainers across North and South America, Europe, East and Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. In addition to these experiences, Jared has trained in multiple traditional martial arts for 40+ years, and holds multiple Black Belts to include a Grandmaster rank (Grand Tuhon) in the Filipino martial art of Pekiti Tirsia Kali. These experiences collectively have heavily influenced his approach to teaching defensive tactics and CQC.
PiD training team leaders:
Eckhard Niebergall
1st Chairman of the Police Trainers in Germany e.V.
- 1975 – 2017 Member of the Hessian Police Force
- until 1998 service at the police headquarters Frankfurt am Main
- Licensed weapons instructor (national & international)
- Instructor for tactics, close combat, personal protection
- Co-developer of INTERACT DEFENSE® TRAINING
- 1998 – 2017 Instructor at the Hessian Police Academy
Ralf Schmidt
Chief Inspector
- Defensive tactics- and shooting instructor for special units
- Hesse University for Public Management and Security
PiD instructor team:
Active and former members of authorities and organizations with security tasks who are or have been active in special assignments and have many years of operational and instructor experience.
PiD guest instructors & consultants:
John T. Meyer Jr.
John is President of Team One Network, LLC a company established to test, evaluate, train and market various manufacturers‘ products to the Law Enforcement community as related to officer survival. John led a team of instructors that pioneered the integration of formalized training doctrine with practical field experience. These cutting edge, realistic tactical training courses have become an industry standard. John was a Lieutenant with the DOD Police, where he served as a special reaction team leader and is a past President of FOP Middle Forge Lodge 100. He is Vice President of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI) John has written numerous articles that have been published on police training related subjects.
Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson currently works with the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association as a part-time employee assisting with the coordination of many of the Association training programs and has served in this position since 2006. He has been responsible for managing many of the Association Conferences to include Annual Training Conferences and the Spring and Fall meetings. Prior to joining the staff of the Association, Steve spent 34 years with the North Carolina Department of Justice, with 29 of those years at the North Carolina Justice Academy. Steve’s primary responsibility at the N.C. Justice Academy was as the lead instructor for all the firearms programs offered by the Academy. Steve was one of the co-authors of the N.C. Concealed Carry Handgun Training Model Program. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors where he served as President from 2000 to 2016 and currently serves as 2nd Vice President. He continues to teach the Law Enforcement Sniper Course for Durham Technical College as well as other firearms related programs for Team One Network. He has been fortunate to be able to teach, not just across the United States, but in Germany, Italy, and China as well. Steve served in the North Carolina National Guard for 35 years as a range instructor and a member of the Guard’s rifle and pistol teams. Steve served as a member of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission from 2009 – 2021. He still serves as a certified law enforcement officer, a criminal justice instructor and as a member of the North Carolina Private Protective Services Board.
Joe Willis
Joe Willis is a retired US Army Military Police First Sergeant who currently serves as Deputy Executive Director for the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) and was a founding board member of First H.E.L.P. From 2005 to 2009, Joe was an Operations Sergeant for Military Police at Wiesbaden Army Airfield.
Robert Cole
Robert is a United States Marine Corps Veteran with 10 years of service. He was an infantry Sergeant and deployed to multiple countries, including Afghanistan, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Guam, and Australia. His personal awards include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 2nd award. He served as the Assistant Operations Chief for the Regimental Operations office aboard The Basic School at MCB Quantico, Virginia, training new Marine Corps officers, where he oversaw all logistical support for training. Robert currently teaches Team One Networks Low Light/ Laser Instructor course, Shoot House Instructor course, Pistol Mounted Optics Workshop, Mechanical Breaching Instructor course, and Tactical Ballistic Instructor course. Robert is currently a certified armorer instructor for: Benelli M1,2&4, CZ P-10, Springfield XD/XDm/MOD.2, S&W M&P pistol, and S&W M&P rifle. Robert currently serves on the IALEFI (International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors) Board of Directors and is the Director of Training for Team One Network.
Jared Wihongi
Jared Wihongi is a full-time International Close-Quarters Combat (CQC) Instructor. For 20+ years, his TRICOM self-defense system has been taught to police/ military trainers and special operations personnel around the world. It was first introduced to police trainers in Germany in 2006 and has been taught go German police at an institutional level as recently as 2024. The TRICOM system is a full integration of empty-hands tactics, weapon and counter-weapon tactics (both edged and impact) with a full integration of firearms tactics at extreme close-quarters. Jared has worked 25+ years as a police officer, police academy trainer, and operator on three U.S. SWAT Teams (both full-time and Reserve status). He was contracted as an Army Special Forces Combatives Instructor for almost two decades, and has trained police trainers across North and South America, Europe, East and Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. In addition to these experiences, Jared has trained in multiple traditional martial arts for 40+ years, and holds multiple Black Belts to include a Grandmaster rank (Grand Tuhon) in the Filipino martial art of Pekiti Tirsia Kali. These experiences collectively have heavily influenced his approach to teaching
defensive tactics and CQC.
The training takes place at several stations in a rotating system. All participants train on all contents. Station content may alter due to circumstances
Members of authorities with security duties, the professional fire brigade, judges, public prosecutors and professional soldiers are entitled to participate.
Notice
Generally:
EPTC participants receive free access to the ENFORCE TAC® (23 – 25.02.2026).
1st conference day:
Members of authorities with security duties, the professional fire brigade, judges, public prosecutors and professional soldiers are entitled to participate.
Seminar language:
German / English simultaneous translation
2nd day – Practical training:
The training takes place at several stations in a rotating system. All participants train on all contents. Station content may alter due to circumstances.
Members of authorities with security duties, the professional fire brigade, judges, public prosecutors and professional soldiers are entitled to participate.
