Matt Rokus is the Eau Claire Police Department’s 20th Chief of Police. Matt started his police career with the City of Eau Claire in 1997 as a part-time Community Service Officer. Later that year Matt was hired as full-time Police Officer and was promoted through the ranks becoming Police Chief on December 31, 2019. Matt has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Leadership in a Police Organization from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Wisconsin’s Criminal Justice Executive Development Institute and Supervision of Police Personnel from Northwestern University.

Douglas Hoffer is the Deputy City Attorney for the City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He has worked in the Eau Claire City Attorney’s office since 2013 after working in private practice focusing on local government law. He has successfully argued cases in Wisconsin circuit courts, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court in cases involving constitutional law, civil procedure, land use, and municipal finance. He is an IMLA Local Government Fellow and a 2010 graduate of Marquette Law School.

Holly Hakes is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and owner of Hakes Wellness Solutions, LLC. Holly’s clinical practice exclusively serves law enforcement officers, other first responders, and their families. She supports clients through both personal and professional struggles including post-incident support. Holly is an experienced, well received counselor offering counseling, post incident support, training offerings and clinical consultation to peer support teams. She is passionate, responsive, knowledgeable, and describes her approach as person centered, strength based, solution focused, and authentic. Holly has a master's degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She brings a diverse background of personal and professional experiences, including work in the industry herself, fueling her passion.

Holly Nilles has been the Business Office Manager and Administrative Assistant at the City of Verona, WI Police Department since August of 2010. She loves to serve, whether it be for members of her department or for the community. Outside VPD, Holly is a Revelation Wellness Certified Group Fitness Instructor and NGA (National Gym Association) Certified Personal Trainer, and she uses those certifications by offering free fitness classes to anyone in or near her community, as well as online. She has been active as a fitness instructor for the past 17 years, but since 2016 she has taught fitness solely on a volunteer basis through her fitness ministry, Forward Fit. Holly loves pouring into others and teaches her classes with an emphasis on training the heart and allowing the body to follow.

Rewired Dynamics is an executive coaching company that specialize in cracking the communication code and transforming executive teams and businesses. Kimberly is an expert in communication, relational trust, and holistic mental health coaching techniques. Her ability to provide ingenious, innovative problem solving to a wide variety of businesses and organizations makes her a sought-after expert on culture dynamics and how to liberate leaders. Together, her and her team have a combined 45+ years of experience building trusted leaders in corporate, sports, and military organizations. Kim is tenacious and resourceful in solving new and strategic challenges. As a veteran of both the United States Marine Corps and the Army National Guard she is always challenging the status quo. She loves strategy, helping people become the best they can be, and thrives on solving organizational challenges while functioning at the interface of people, systems, and resources.

Lieutenant Horace Staples, MSCJ, has twenty-eight years of service at the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, presently serving as Lieutenant of Professional Standards. He is the custodian of records regarding Internal Administrative reviews, investigations, and specific incident inquests. He was formerly assigned as the Director of Kenosha County Emergency Management. Those duties consisted of coordinating the training programs related to emergency management and law enforcement. Staples collaborated with public agencies, private organizations, and schools to implement emergency preparedness plans, active shooter protocols, major flooding preparedness plans, power outage awareness strategies, and guidelines for unplanned large-scale events. Prior to his promotion to Lieutenant, Staples served as Commander of the Kenosha Drug Operations Group (KDOG).

Backed by 30 years of experience, Michael Knack has extensive knowledge in Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention. Upon retiring from the public sector in 2022, Mike has entered into the private sector as a trainer and consultant. Prior to beginning his current role in 2023, Mike has had a decorated career in law enforcement, with experience as an Administrative Captain, Detective Lieutenant, patrol supervisor, community policing supervisor, auxiliary police supervisor, defensive tactics instructor, field training officer and tactical officer. Mike has been an active member of several professional organizations throughout the years and has presented at numerous conferences. After hours, Mike can be found reading, gardening, or exercising and enjoys “anything outdoors” in his spare time.

Assistant AG Miriam Falk, J.D. was an Asst. DA in Milwaukee County, WI from 1987-2014, in sensitive crimes for the last 23 of her 27 years there. Her first four years were with CHIPS and TPR cases. Ms. Falk has 30+ years of training experience in WI and nationally in sexual assault, domestic violence, trial advocacy and interviewing of adults and children. Her professional awards are: Wisconsin District Attorney’s Association Asst. DA of the Year, 2012; Wisconsin Law Journal’s Woman of the Year 2010; Milwaukee Commission on DV and Sexual Assault recognition, 2007; Honorable Mention, Wisconsin DA’s Association for nomination as Asst. DA of the Year 2007; June Dobbs Award from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

Thelen Consulting, established in 2005 with the original goal of providing consistent, well organized, and professional training to all uniformed and non-uniformed staff working inside today’s prisons and jails. The business has since expanded to include leadership development and change management, emotional intelligence, staff wellness and motivational seminars for public agencies as well as private businesses. Rory has presented nationally, to include forums such as the American Correctional Association, the American Jail Association, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and currently provides instruction for the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation’s Executive Leadership Institute at Chico State University in California. Rory is a retired 32-year veteran with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. His expertise is in creating and maintaining the safest and most secure environment possible. Rory trains staff at all levels.

Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Special Agent (S/A) Tiffany Ince is assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the canine handler for ATF Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC) Tutty. S/A Ince has been with DCI for approximately 8 years and in law enforcement for 16 years.

Vicki has more than 25 years of experience in all areas of labor and employment law for both the public and private sector, including immigration, union matters, and work with Police &?Fire Commissions. Vicki assists employers in responding to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination, conducts workplace investigations and advises on personnel and disciplinary matters. She also counsels on medical leave management involving FMLA?and disability accommodations, DE&I, development of effective employment policies and practices, and wage and hour issues. Vicki holds a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of Southern Florida MUMA?College of Business. Vicki also assists clients with employment and family-based immigration services. She is a member of the Wisconsin Public Employer Labor Relations Association (WPELRA), SHRM?National, Chippewa Valley SHRM (Diversity Coordinator) and is a Certified SHRM Human Resources Professional.