#NDPOA2026
SPEAKERS
Welcome to the 2026 North Dakota Peace Officers Association (NDPOA) Conference Speakers page. Here you can find information about the esteemed speakers who will be presenting at the 115th annual conference. Get ready to be inspired and gain valuable insights from our lineup of experienced professionals.
THE MEN WHO TOOK DOWN PABLO
Javier Peña & Steve Murphy
August 12 | 1300
Javier F. Peña and Steve Murphy are retired Special Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration who helped lead the historic international manhunt for Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Working alongside the Colombian National Police, the two agents played a critical role in dismantling the MedellÃn Cartel and bringing Escobar’s reign of violence to an end. Their story later inspired the hit Netflix series Narcos. Today, Peña and Murphy travel the world sharing firsthand insights from one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in modern law enforcement history. They are also co-authors of Manhunters: How We Took Down Pablo Escobar.
AGENCY WELLNESS DEVELOPMENT
presented by Lexipol
Emily Hitchings
August 13 | 1300
Emily Hitchings is a former police officer who served nearly 17 years with the Aurora (Colorado) Police Department in both uniformed and undercover assignments, including patrol, vice, narcotics and fugitive apprehension. During her career, she also developed and led the department’s employee support and wellness programs, including peer support and critical incident response teams. Today, Hitchings is a counselor who works with first responders and their families and serves with Lexipol developing wellness and peer support training for public safety agencies nationwide. She is a nationally recognized advocate for officer wellness and resiliency in the law enforcement profession.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS
Jim Schmidt
August 14 | 0900
Jim Schmidt is a co-founder of the Gabby Petito Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence and helping locate missing persons. Following the death of his stepdaughter, Gabby Petito, in 2021, Schmidt and his family began working to raise awareness and improve resources for families and first responders dealing with similar cases. Through the foundation, he advocates for stronger education, prevention, and support systems surrounding domestic violence. Schmidt also brings a background in public service, having previously served in the fire service. Today, he shares his family’s story to help others recognize warning signs, support victims, and promote meaningful change.