2026 PERF Annual Meeting

The 2026 PERF Annual Meeting will be held from April 15-17 in Los Angeles. The conference begins with a welcome reception on Wednesday evening, following meeting registration. The Thursday Town Hall will celebrate PERF’s 50th anniversary and feature discussions on innovative uses of artificial intelligence in policing, trends in crime rates (including murder, violent crime, and property crime), challenges of federal immigration enforcement, the continued decline in drug overdose deaths, recent research on officer mortality threats, initial findings from PERF’s project on field training, a preview of PERF’s new training program to prepare the next generation of investigative supervisors, and an update on PERF’s ICAT training program. The Leadership Award and Gary P. Hayes Award will also be presented. Friday morning will feature two panel sessions: one led by CNN chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller titled “The World in Crisis—Is This the New Normal?”, covering recent high-profile incidents; and another by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell on his agency’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games, including strategies for countering malicious drones. Breakfast is provided on Thursday and Friday, and lunch on Thursday. Evening receptions are also part of the schedule.