Rick Smith, Chief of Police
1 Union St.
Wakefield, MA 01880
For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Wakefield Police Chief Rick Smith to Speak at the SECURE XX Conference
WAKEFIELD – Police Chief Rick Smith will be a featured speaker tomorrow at an event sponsored by UMass Lowell and the Middlesex Partnerships for Youth.
WHO
- Wakefield Police Chief Rick Smith, Vice President At Large of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Chair of the Middlesex Partnerships for Youth Board of Directors
- Middlesex Partnerships for Youth (MPY)
- UMass Lowell Center for Terrorism and Security Studies
- UMass Lowell’s Graduate School of Education
- Operation250
WHERE
UMass Lowell, University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell
WHEN
Friday, March 23, at 8:45 a.m. – 2:35 p.m. (Chief Smith speaks at 9:10 a.m.)
WHAT
In partnership with UMass Lowell, MPY is hosting the annual SECURE XX conference that will feature Chief Smith as an introductory speaker.
Chief Smith will discuss the growing amount of incidents of hate crimes and bigotry that have plagued communities nationwide, creating a culture of fear and vulnerability in many schools. He will also address the essential role that educators and community leaders play in creating an inclusive atmosphere in order to proactively combat hate and extremism.
“Educators and law enforcement professionals have a critical responsibility to make schools as inclusive and welcoming as they can be,” Chief Smith said. “Our schools and communities need to take the lead in the nationwide fight against hate and violence, and I’m eager to participate in the exchange of ideas and approaches that will help us solve this problem.”
Additional presentations will include information on cyber threats and vulnerabilities, extremism, online safety and education about sensitive issues such as hate. The conference will also receive an update on how terrorist and extremist organizations use the cyber world to recruit youth as members.
Multiple UMass Lowell departments have joined the effort to make the conference possible. Operation250, which seeks to educate children, parents and teachers about online safety and extremism prevention, is also a key SECURE XX partner.
For a complete conference agenda, click here.
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