April 19, 2009

My name is John Kelton; I am a law enforcement officer and active member of FOP Lodge #74. I am also the owner of the MERIT Group, a law enforcement training organization specializing in training officers to recognize, investigate, and execute tactical entries into methamphetamine labs. The MERIT Group is hosting the Lake Erie Law Enforcement Expo in Erie Pennsylvania on August 11-13th, 2009. The MERIT Group has provided excellent training to more than 1500 officers across the United States and are striving to offer a law enforcement expo that officers will benefit from, through their attendance. We would like to include the Fraternal Order of Police Lodges in any way that they would like to participate.

Our key note speaker is Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, author of On Killing and will be presenting multiple times on August 12th. Additional events offered at the expo include K-9 Tactics by William Sombo, Meth Lab Recognition, Investigation and Tactical Entry training from the MERIT Group, and other fabulous events still being scheduled. Hundreds of law enforcement vendors will be presenting their techniques, software and hardware. There is no charge for admission and all of the events are offered at no charge. The expo will begin with a memorial service for fallen officers and soldiers. This is the first Law Enforcement Expo in Erie and we hope to encourage officers from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo, Erie and our fellow officers across the lake in Canada, to attend.

The expo is being held at the newly built BAYFRONT Convention Center, a beautiful facility surrounded on three sides by the Presque Isle Bay of Lake Erie. Overnight accommodations are available at special rates at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, which is connected to the convention center and the Hampton Inn Hotel. The additional amenities available to officers and their families include eleven beautiful beaches, Waldameer Amusement and Water Park, the breath taking Presque Isle State Park and the new Presque Isle Downs Casino.