Retired Major Darren Ivey served on the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department from September 1992 – December 2021.

During his career, he served in many roles including Patrol, Narcotics and Vice, Research and Development, Youth Services, Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion, and the Office of the Chief of Police.

Darren served as the Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Commander from 2012 – 2018 where he led a multi-disciplinary team that developed a training program called “Building Resilience: Surviving Secondary Trauma.” This training helps address the occupational risks of secondary trauma and acute stress and since March 2015, he has presented this course to thousands of law enforcement members, mental health professionals, and other first responders and caregivers throughout the world. He is considered a national Subject Matter Expert regarding Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT); Self-Care for First Responders, and Trauma/Stress Management for First Responders.

Retired Major Ivey has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Park University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and a Master’s Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia. He has an International Critical Incident Stress (ICISF) certification for Assisting Individuals in Crisis and Group Crisis Intervention and was an inaugural member of the first Commander Peer Support Group in the country.  Additionally, he has served on the CIT International Board of Directors for the past six years; was the past Co-Chair of the Mid-America CIT Council and Justice Committee of the Resilient KC Initiative, and was the Missouri State CIT Self-Care Chair from 2016-2018.

Prior to becoming a Police Officer, Darren was a proud member of the United States Air Force (1983-1992) where he served in support of Operation Desert Storm, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (#274).

Wendy Hummell is a seasoned law enforcement officer with over 24 years of experience.  She started her career in 1996 as a Special Agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).  She retired at the rank of Detective after 21 years of service from the Wichita Police Department where she spent a majority of her career working Persons Crimes Investigations.  Wendy worked homicide, gang, and sex-crimes cases. She was also a member of her department’s CISM (Critical incident Stress Management) and Defense Tactics teams. Wendy has taught multiple classes both in the Academy setting and at national conferences such as the FBI NAA (National Academy Associates), The International Conference of Police Chaplains, and the Crime Stoppers USA Conference.  Wendy has taught classes on sex crimes & domestic violence investigations, gang crimes, homicide investigation, and crime stoppers.

Wendy’s area of expertise is officer health and wellness, peer support, and resiliency.  She is currently the Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office. Wendy is passionate about and committed to helping her fellow First Responders learn the tools of mindfulness, resiliency, as well as the importance of relationships, exercise, sleep, and nutrition to enhance their well-being and job performance. Wendy speaks to these topics from the perspective of direct experience and through the lens of a law enforcement spouse. Wendy’s belief is that all law enforcement agencies should provide resources to their employees so they can not only survive a career in law enforcement, but thrive well into retirement.

Wendy holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She is a certified yoga instructor and Yoga for First Responders (YFFR) Ambassador. Wendy has taught hundreds of first responders YFFR classes, resiliency, and mindfulness classes.  Wendy is also a trainer for the Pause First Academy.  Wendy is an adjunct faculty member with the Criminal Justice Department at Wichita State University.  She has been teaching collegiate level CJ classes since 1996.

Wendy was awarded the 2018 Wichita Metro Crime Commission Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, the 2018 Crime Stoppers USA Coordinator of the Year Award, and was a 2019 Wichitalk presenter.  Wendy has several articles published with PoliceOne on the topics of trauma, wellness, and female resiliency.

Wendy and her husband launched the “Guns and Yoga” podcast last year as a platform to provide support, add value, and share wellness resources with first responders and their families. Wendy facilitates a group health coaching program, offers free yoga, retreats and more.  You can get more information on her website at wendyhummell.com.

Col. Brenda Dietzman (Ret) is a passionate speaker who has more than 28 years of law enforcement and corrections experience. She provides evidence-based training solutions and inspiring presentations for both individual and organizational improvement. She has presented at numerous national, state, and local events as well as for international audiences. Her areas of expertise include resilience, leadership, developing women leaders and leading generations. She is an internationally certified IADLEST instructor.

In 2019, Col. Dietzman retired from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office as the undersheriff in charge of jail operations. She oversaw two facilities with a total population of 1400+ inmates, 300+ employees and a $40 million budget. During her time in law enforcement, she also served as the captain in charge of the Patrol Division and the Judicial Division, a lieutenant in both the Patrol Division and the Special Project Unit, a Community Policing sergeant, detective, and a road patrol deputy.

She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Wichita State University. She enjoys traveling, photography, mountain biking, running, meditation, and reading. She is married and has three adorable rescue dogs.