Early Chief of Police David Mercer recently returned from the prestigious Chief Executive Officer Training Seminar, held just outside of the nation’s capital, at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) located in Alexandria, VA.

After receiving an invitation to attend the specifically designed training seminar for Law Enforcement Executives, 911 Emergency Center managers and Clearinghouse Managers, Chief David Mercer attended the program on Sunday & Monday, February 23-24, as a guest of the NCMEC.

Chief Mercer joined 56 other Chiefs, Sheriffs, and 911 Emergency Managers who were also selected and invited, to attend the 151st session of the CEO course, and Mercer is now one of nearly 6,000 who have completed this training.

The Missing & Exploited Children Seminar for Chief Executives was designed to provide attendees like Chief Mercer a better understanding of the issue of missing and sexually exploited children – and how to specifically deal with the situation of a child who’s been reported missing – when time is critical.

“This has been one of the most valuable experiences for me in my 27 years as a law enforcement officer,” said Chief Mercer.  “To have been selected in itself, was an honor, but to be able to bring this knowledge home and put it into practice, is a plus for the citizens of Early, Texas.”

Created in 1997 and funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency (OJJDP), the CEO training discusses the needed steps in implementing best practices for call takers, responding officers, investigators, and Command Staff.

Once candidates are selected to attend, all travel and lodging expenses during training are covered by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children through a grant by OJJDP.