About Us

in·let n. (ˈin-let)

  1. A stream or bay leading inland, as from the ocean; an estuary.
  2. A connection between a bay and the ocean; often called an “entrance”.
  3. An opening providing a means of entrance or intake.

INLETS is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that partners with the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC-the state fusion center) and the FBI Field Offices in Washington DC and Baltimore.

In 2011, the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit provided a three-day training for law enforcement investigators in the National Capital Region, led by FBI Special Agents Erin Sheridan and Steve Shepherd. 

With the positive attendee surveys and realizing a need for such training, Sheridan and Shepherd formed a planning team from the MCAC, FBI WFO and BA, with local InfraGard chapters, 501(c)3’s, leading as fiduciaries. As they prepared for the second annual training, the Mid-Atlantic INtel & Law Enforcement Training Seminar (INLETS) was created.  

In 2015, requested by FBIHQ, the Gulf Coast INLETS in New Orleans was added by partnering with the Louisiana State Fusion Center (LA-SAFE), FBI NO, and InfraGard LA.  

In 2017, FBIHQ asked INLETS to provide their five-day program in three time zones.  So INLETS returned to New Orleans and the US National WWII Museum. Then, in partnership with the FBI Honolulu office, the Hawaii Fusion Center, and InfraGard HI, the team hosted the Hawaiian Island INLETS with private tour at the USS Arizona Memorial.  Local Attendees repeatedly called it the best LE training ever hosted in Hawaii.

In 2018, the training program transitioned into its own 501(c)3 and became the INtel & Law Enforcement Training Services, commonly called “INLETS.”

In 2020, INLETS pivoted amidst the Covid global pandemic and launched its webinar series, INLETS Online.  Averaging 350 attendees, the monthly webinars with INLETS’ Repertoire Presenters reached attendees across the country and in England and Europe.

Attendees offer suggestions as “INLETS worthy” and “one of the best presentations on each topic I have ever heard. The INLETS went way beyond all expectations.”

through Today: INLETS has held one-day, multi-day, and the five-day Violent Crimes & Terrorism Trends in MD, DE, VA, NJ, FL, LA, and HI, and DC.

ON THE INLETS, MUCH LIKE THE NAME SUGGESTS, SERVES AS A CONDUIT FROM FEDERAL AND LARGE AGENCY RESOURCES TO THE STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDER INDUSTRIES, MUCH LIKE AN INLET CONNECTS AN OCEAN TO STREAMS, RIVERS, AND BACK BAYS.

Our Mission Statement:

On the INLETS is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and providing leading-edge, high-quality investigative training and support services to law enforcement and security professionals.

Our Goal:

CONNECT THOSE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES WITH THE INSTRUCTION TO HELP THEM DO SO.

This five-day conference has been hosted nearly 20 times across Annapolis, New Orleans, and Honolulu.

Focused on a bevy of topics in investigating violent crimes and terror threats, this seminar utilizes three formats of instruction: General Session and Focused Presentation topics, both are single focused delivered in 90 minutes to two hours. And Workshops, like a mini-series, with 90 minute sessions over three days, totaling 4.5 hours of instructions. 

It includes the Tribute to Heroes evening program with past Keynote presentations by Richard Phillips (Capt. Phillips), Tony Mendez (Argo), Roy Hallums (Buried Alive), Mark Geist (13 Hours), Rob O’Neil (The Operator), Clint Romesha (The Outpost).  

Featured Presenters include Greg Stube, (US Army, ret.), Kirk Lippold (US Navy, ret.), Amy Herman, and Gene Deisinger. 

Other featured presenters were from New Scotland Yard, the French National Police, Norway’s Delta Nord, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Australian Federal Police, the German Federal Police, and the New Zealand Federal Police.  

Presenters from across the country include the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, NYPD, LAPD, Las Vegas Metro Sheriffs Office, State Police investigators from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Louisiana, and Maryland, private sector experts such as Gene Deisinger and Amy Herman, and many other subject matter experts.

INLETS In-Depth is a 4-day program that focuses in detail on a single topic.  Led by a subject matter expert with other SME presenters, they provide instruction in a classroom style setting.

The In-Depth series includes the Homicide Investigators Course, Social Media & Finding People, Responding to Acts of Violence & Terrorism, and Targeted Violence & Threat Assessment. 

Hosted in Annapolis (’21-’24), Orlando (’22) and Tampa (’24), the intended audience are Law Enforcement investigators and analysts, Military and IC personnel, Risk & Safety practitioners specific to topic.

An 8-hour block of instruction composed of various presentations on pertinent, parallel topics. The same agenda is provided a number of times annually at venues from the Potomac River to the Delaware Valley. The attendees include LE, first responders, Risk & Safety practitioners from campus, houses of worship, businesses, and organizations.

INLETS On-line was created as a webinar series hosted throughout the global pandemic. While the nation was restricted to their homes and limited for months after, INLETS provided webinars to an average of 350 attendees across the North America, including Canada.  

By the Numbers:

9.3  |  Average Attendee Evaluation for In-Person INLETS events and courses
9.5  |  Average Viewer Evaluation for INLETS On-line and Livestream broadcasts
7  | Foreign Country Presenters: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Norway
47  |  States have been represented 

30+  |  State Fusion Centers have attended

50+  |  Institutions of Higher Education have attended

1,100+ Law Enforcement agencies have attended

12,000+  |   Total Participants

The Planning Team

The planning team is comprised of those with diverse backgrounds and a common goal: to provide attendees the most relevant topics, from leading experts, at the most affordable price possible.  And through all of it, to remember it is always for the victims.

The three member board ensures the organization exceeds the 501(c)3 required status. And with the team volunteers, they contribute in two areas; the INLETS’ Training aspect and the Services element. 

The Training aspect includes agenda design, partner and sponsor engagement, Benefactor support, event production, execution, and support.  

The Services element includes consultations with attendees to determine investigative and analytical needs then coordinating with INLETS partners to provide support and solutions.

From how ever far you’ve traveled, from whichever community you protect, thank you for making INLETS a part of your training background.

Certified for law enforcement in-service and continuing education units when possible, INLETS provides leading edge instruction from industry experts, on emerging threats and case studies.

Open to Law Enforcement, Defense and Intel Entities, and Risk & Safety industry professionals, as appropriate.

We’ll see you next time, On The INLETS!

Support INLETS through Workplace Giving CFC Combined Federal Campaign Choose CFC Code: 54014