MCPI-DARE Annual In-Service Training Conference 2026

Pursuant to Policy and Procedures Statement MD-90-09 of the Maryland D.A.R.E. Coordinator and Maryland Community Policing Institute of the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), the mandated D.A.R.E. In-Service Training conference has been scheduled for March 31st to April 1st, 2026 at the Public Safety Education & Training Center located in Sykesville, MD. The Conference will begin at 8:00am and end at 4:00pm with an hour break for lunch.


PLEASE NOTE: This Conference is for ACTIVE certified DARE Officers Only!! Enrollment requests will be reviewed carefully before approving.

All Maryland D.A.R.E. Instructors are mandated to attend a D.A.R.E. specific training each year to maintain certification, unless specifically excused. Absences may be granted by the State D.A.R.E. Coordinator upon a written request approved by the D.A.R.E. instructor’s supervisor. D.A.R.E. instructors who have received their certification within the past 12 months DO NOT fall under this mandate, but are encouraged to attend.

The training this year will consist of topics that are of interest to you as DARE Instructors, SROs, and Law Enforcement Officers. The 2026 agenda will include the new Elementary School Core Curriculum.

The conference and instructional workshops are $25 per student to all Maryland D.A.R.E. Instructors. Agencies sending four paid students will receive a fifth seat free. The tuition will be adjusted by the Registrar upon enrollment.

Lodging is available for attendees and will be on a first come-first served basis at the officer or their agency’s expense in our dorm facility based on double occupancy with an assigned roommate. Interested students can submit a lodging reservation request form to our Guest Services unit. Additional information is provided on the form.

As always, this training will be approved by MPCTC for Police In-Service Credits (P# is pending). Business-casual attire is required for conference attendance (please, no shorts, jeans, or t-shirts allowed in workshop sessions).



Please read these enrollment requirements CAREFULLY before submitting the registration request.

- Training coordinators should enter the DARE Officer’s date of the last DARE training received in the “DATE OF PROMOTION” field. For new DARE Instructors, this would be the date of initial DOT. Otherwise it's the last date of DARE in-service attended. Please be sure to follow the formatting prompt for the date (dd/mm/yyyy) in order to be able to submit the enrollment request.

- The 6-digit police certification number found on the officer’s MPCTC-issued certification card is also required for enrollment. Officers should be sure to provide ALL required information to your training coordinator for accurate enrollment. Contact [email protected] if you need the name of your agency’s training coordinator.

- Please ensure all steps associated with registration are completed no later than 4pm on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026!

- Questions regarding registration can be directed to [email protected]; All other inquiries (including conference content/agenda, or absence requests) should be directed to Mike Casamento, State D.A.R.E. Coordinator’s Office, [email protected].

Location: PSETC Sykesville
Dates of Class: 03/31/2026 - 04/01/2026
Approval Number: P52387
Approved Hours: 12
Price: 25.00

8:30am - 4:00pm
Cost is $25 per student. Agencies sending four paid students will receive a fifth seat free. The tuition will be adjusted by the Registrar upon enrollment.
Program Approval