Sessions of 2026 Connection Conference: Mike Puente
Puente, Mike
Program Administrator
Michael is currently a Training Specialist for Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) and has been in law enforcement for over 22 years. Michael has held positions as Chairman of the Use of Force/Defensive Tactics Subject Matter Expert Committee for AZPOST and the inaugural Chairman of the Sniper Subject Matter Expert Committee for the Arizona Tactical Officers Association. He has trained a few hundred police recruits from over 20 agencies as an academy class sergeant and recruit training officer. He holds certifications as an AZPOST Leadership Instructor, General Instructor, Physical Fitness Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Active Assailant Instructor, Patrol Tactics Instructor, several Sniper Instructor certifications, and a Bias Free Policing Instructor. He teaches and consults for several companies for Stress Management for First Responders, Combatives, Dignitary Protection, and Firearms training. Michael is also the creator and writer of the “7 Foundational Principles of Law Enforcement and Policing”, which is the foundational curriculum for the law enforcement training academies across the state of Arizona.
Sessions:
[5842] Evolving Excellence: Inside the AZPOST Law and Public Service Academy Curriculum
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Westin La Paloma
- Public Service Careers
Join Mike Puente, AZPOST Program Administrator, for an inside look at the evolution of Arizona’s Law & Public Service Academy curriculum. This session will walk educators through the key updates implemented over the past several years, the improvements shaping current training standards, and the future enhancements planned to better align students with public safety career pathways. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how AZPOST is modernizing curriculum to strengthen student readiness, professionalism, and real-world relevance within the LPS field. For those seeking deeper insight, such as observing academy operations, exploring specialized content areas, or collaborating with expert Master Instructors, AZPOST will provide connections to regional academies or subject-matter experts tailored to each attendee’s interests.
