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Lawsuits don’t start in court. They start on an ordinary Tuesday.

From excessive force claims to training failures, most liability exposure builds quietly through missed warning signs, undocumented remedial training, outdated policies, or patterns supervisors normalize over time. By the time it reaches the Sheriff’s desk, the damage is already done.

In this candid session, Captain Joshua Staggs of the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office and retired Captain Jeffery Smith of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office will share what creates exposure at the operational level and the lessons they’ve learned through their decades of service.

Captain Staggs will examine where liability exposure often begins – initial field training. Early interactions between new deputies and their field training officers not only shape how deputies develop but also impact agency culture and expectations. From there, he will explore how risk can quietly compound over time if policy updates fail to translate into behavior, training is completed but not absorbed, use-of-force trends go unnoticed, or corrective coaching goes undocumented. Drawing on his experience, Staggs will outline the supervisory reviews, documentation practices, and training records that create a clear, defensible record of leadership, supervision, and accountability when scrutiny comes.

Retired Captain Smith will discuss what surprised him during litigation, how small inconsistencies can become patterns in court, and the difference between hours trained and competency demonstrated. He will share what he wishes had been tracked differently and how agencies can avoid being accused of “deliberate indifference.”

This session is not about micromanaging deputies. It’s about protecting them with the right processes and resources. Attendees will leave with practical steps to reduce exposure while preserving operational strength.

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