Speaker Series - First Amendment Auditors (Half Day)

Effective Interactions with First Amendment Auditors: A Workshop for Civilian Employees

Facilitated by SEAN QUINN, Former FBI Special Agent

The landscape of public safety and government operations has evolved to include frequent interactions with individuals conducting "First Amendment audits." These audits, often involving the filming of public officials in public spaces, present unique challenges that necessitate a proactive and informed response from public safety agencies. This comprehensive and interactive conference is designed to equip Maryland public safety professionals, non-sworn, and front desk personnel with the essential legal knowledge, practical strategies, and de-escalation techniques required to manage these encounters effectively and lawfully. The conference aims to enhance understanding of constitutional rights, clarify Maryland-specific legal nuances, and provide actionable methods to minimize conflict, enhance transparency, and reduce both legal and reputational risks. By fostering a culture of professional and constitutionally compliant public service, this program seeks to ensure operational continuity while upholding civil liberties and building public trust.

This interactive course equips civilian employees with the knowledge and skills to manage encounters with First Amendment Auditors in a professional, safe, and dignified manner. Participants will review the legal context, understand auditor motivations, and practice strategies to avoid escalation or viral incidents. By the end of this conference, the participant will be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to handle these encounters professionally and legally, protecting both the public's rights and the safety of employees.

Important Notices:
- The half day session is for non-sworn and front desk personnel. There will be two identical sessions (morning and afternoon). The time slot is noted in the below course details (January 14th).
- The full day session is for Maryland public safety professionals, sworn personnel and administrators. Attendees should choose between one of the dates (January 12th or January 13th).
- In order to accommodate the 175+ law enforcement and correctional agencies, we would ask that no more than 2 per agency attend attend each session type.

Location: PSETC Sykesville
Dates of Class: 01/14/2026 - 01/14/2026
Approval Number: NtAppr
Approved Hours: NA
Price: 20.00

This is registration for the AFTERNOON SESSION, 1:00pm to 4:30pm.