If you love hearing real conversations about law enforcement, families, and mental health, the “When The Call Hits Home” podcast is a must-listen—especially their recent episode sharing about the ILEETA conference. This year, the team is getting involved with the International Law Enforcement Educators and Training Association, or ILEETA. This special event is also known as the International Law Enforcement Training Conference, bringing together people from different countries to learn, share, and support each other.

Let’s take a look inside what makes this conference important, and why mental health and family support are huge topics on the agenda!

What Is ILEETA?

ILEETA stands for the International Law Enforcement Educators and Training Association. Every year, they hold an International Law Enforcement Training Conference where police and first responders from all over the world come together. It’s not just about learning new skills for the job—it’s about connecting, sharing new ideas, and improving the lives of everyone involved in public safety.

As Ashlee explained, ILEETA is about bringing together “law enforcement throughout the globe, and they come together in talking about the best approaches for training recruits, academy, continuing education” ([00:01:13 – 00:01:24]).

Talking About Mental Health

One of the biggest topics at ILEETA and on the podcast is mental health. Ashlee and Jennifer have always made mental wellness a priority on their show, but they are excited to bring these conversations to a worldwide audience. They highlight that mental health for first responders is about more than just how you feel at work—it’s also about your family, your finances, your physical health, and more.

Jennifer shared, “we’ve talked a lot about mental health and, like, the growth of mental health within first responders… there’s this aspect too of like, I hope… more inclusion of the family of first responders, that this just isn’t a job” ([00:02:51 – 00:03:04]).

How Other Countries Handle Family Support

What’s really exciting about this International Law Enforcement Training Conference is learning how families are involved in other countries. Ashlee brought up important questions like, “Are families included? Are families taken care of? What does that look like?” ([00:03:44 – 00:03:54]).

It will be interesting to see how officers in different countries talk about family support. Is it normal to include families in mental health programs? Are there special programs or traditions in other places that we can learn from?

Learning From Each Other

One of the coolest things about an international conference is seeing what makes us different—and what makes us the same. Jennifer said, “there has to be such differences culturally in different places in the world and how they approach law enforcement… and yet with this, it’s also like, hey, what’s so similar?” ([00:03:54 – 00:04:17]). Sometimes, a funny story about fire trucks in Sweden (that are actually Mercedes!) can show how even the small things can be different—while memories and humor bring everyone together.

Getting Involved and Asking Questions

The Jennfer & Ashlee encourage listeners to participate with questions and ideas. Ashlee says, “send us things! If you aren’t going to ILEETA but you’re interested in stuff from there… let me know. I’ll dig and find and do the research and get the answer” ([00:18:12 – 00:18:37]).

If you want your voice heard at the International Law Enforcement Training Conference, now’s your chance!

Why It Matters

Events like ILEETA show that law enforcement is always growing and changing. By including conversations about mental health and family, and by learning about what other countries do, everyone can make their communities stronger and safer. Plus, hearing these stories from Ashlee and Jennifer reminds us that first responders are people too, with families and real life challenges—no matter where they live.

If you want to learn more, check out the “When The Call Hits Home” podcast, and keep an eye out for their live episodes from the ILEETA conference this year!

Click on these links, if you would like to explore our resources page or other episodes