The California Force Instructors' Association (CALFIA) will host its 2026 Use of Force Conference from August 10-13 at the Pacific Palms Resort in City of Industry, California. The POST-certified event (Control #5028-21756-26) will gather law enforcement professionals, trainers, attorneys, and industry partners for four days of advanced training on modern policing, leadership, officer safety, and use-of-force education. This year's conference will feature UFC legend Anderson Silva, who will participate in events including the Battle of the Badges, a first responder grappling competition designed to promote fitness, teamwork, and safer tactics.
CALFIA represents a reform model led by law enforcement professionals themselves, focusing on evidence-based policing through better training, clearer legal understanding, and improved decision-making. The conference addresses public debate over police reform by offering a proactive approach: increasing minimum standards in control skills to reduce deadly shootings, aligning with California's Act to Save Lives (AB392) enacted in January 2020. The inaugural Battle of the Badges CALFIA Cup jiu-jitsu tournament is open exclusively to active law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders, emphasizing CALFIA's belief that enhanced grappling training can lower the use of lethal force.
Keynote presentations, interactive panels, and breakout sessions will be led by distinguished speakers such as Scott Savage (Savage Training Group), Rener Gracie (Gracie University), Dr. John Peters (IPICD), Jamie Borden (Critical Incident Review), Jay Wadsworth (EFCombatives), Jason Louis (The Briefing Room), Darrell L. Ross, Ph.D. (Valdosta State University), Danny King (American Patrolman Podcast), Jeff Martin (DSI Consulting, LLC), Noah Blechman (McNamara Law Firm), Rick Rees (Ontario Police Department), Jamie Gissel (Valor Threat Protection), Tim Pearce (A.U.FIRE), Thomas Keener (Napa Police Department), Taylor E. Arnold (Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC), Dave Siver (EFCombatives), and Ron Bayne (Embassy Consulting Services). Topics include leadership development, de-escalation strategies, tactical decision-making, legal considerations, instructor development, officer wellness, emerging training methodologies, and use-of-force education, including emerging case law, defensive tactics, less-lethal technology, and risk management.
The conference exhibition hall will showcase companies providing products, technology, equipment, training solutions, and professional services for the public safety community. Confirmed sponsors include The Briefing Room (Platinum), PepperBall (Silver), Forecast Securities Group, and the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (Bronze). Additional supporters include Elite Sports, New Hope Regeneration, and CHAP. Sponsorship opportunities remain available, offering brand recognition, exhibitor space, website placement, and speaking engagements.
Registration is open for law enforcement attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, and media representatives via the conference website at www.calfiaconference.org. Tournament registration can be completed through the Jiu-Jitsu Federation Competitor Application. CALFIA is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing law enforcement through education, collaboration, and professional development, with the core belief that better training means better policing.
