I’m just back from The 2015 Writers’ Police Academy (http://bit.ly/1cyAOmM) and my head is full of ideas for my next suspense novel!  WPA, the brain child of former police officer Lee Lofland, was held this year at the Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center in Appleton, Wisconsin (http://bit.ly/1NPLjXJ).  This one-of-a-kind event is designed for authors of crime fiction who want hands-on research that add the right touch of realism to their work.  I’ve attended several of these events and this year was a 2015 WPA sponsor.  WPA 2015 attendees were also treated to presentations by best selling authors Allison Brennan and Karin Slaughter.   This is the seventh year for WPA.

The 2015 Academy was jam packed full of events!

The 2015 Academy featured classes ranging from forensics, handcuffing, witness recall  to SWAT.

Students were treated to canine demonstrations as well as classroom instruction from active duty canine handlers.

WPA featured canine demonstrations and classroom instruction from handlers.

This class on Bloodstain Pattern Investigations and Techniques was fascinating!

A fascinating class on Bloodstain Pattern Investigations and Techniques!

WPA 2015 host was the Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center.

WPA’s 2015 host was the Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center.

Simulated blood patterns to illustrate what a detective might see at a crime scene.

Simulated blood patterns to illustrate what a detective might see at a crime scene.

Couldn't resist a selfie.

Couldn’t resist a selfie.