Update: ARPOC 2026 has wrapped. Read ARPOC 2026 Takeaways for what officers trained on in South Lake Tahoe and how to get ready for ARPOC 2027.
The Annual Reserve Peace Officers Conference returns to California this August, and the 2026 edition brings with it a setting and a program that reflect the growth of the event over the years. Hosted by CRPOA and convening each year as the state’s primary professional development event for reserve law enforcement, ARPOC has built a reputation as the conference that takes reserve officers seriously, treating their training, recognition, and career development with the same level of investment as any full-time law enforcement event.
This year’s theme is Tools, Tactics & Technology for the Front Line. ARPOC 2026 takes place August 11–14 at the newly renovated Margaritaville Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California. What follows is a detailed preview of what attendees will experience across four days.
The Training Program: 24 POST-Certified Hours
The core of ARPOC is its training curriculum. The conference delivers 24 hours of POST-certified Continuing Professional Training across four days, structured to fulfill a complete two-year CPT cycle in a single attendance. For reserve officers managing law enforcement obligations alongside civilian careers, that consolidation is a practical advantage that general training events rarely offer.
The schedule is built around concurrent sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, with five tracks running simultaneously during each morning and afternoon block. Attendees select one session per block, allowing them to direct their development toward the areas most relevant to their role and agency assignment. Tuesday’s opening session and Friday’s closing block are structured as general sessions with no concurrent splits.
Faculty at ARPOC draw from across the law enforcement professional community, including retired chiefs, district attorneys, POST master instructors, and specialized unit commanders whose instruction reflects current operational standards rather than static curriculum. For officers who want to understand what the 24-hour CPT requirement actually involves and how ARPOC satisfies it, a detailed breakdown of California POST training requirements for reserve officers is available in a prior post.
Specific training titles for 2026 are being finalized. Once confirmed, registered attendees will receive access to select their sessions ahead of the conference.
Day-by-Day Schedule
Tuesday, August 11: The conference opens at noon. The afternoon is dedicated to a General Session and Opening Ceremony, with training running from 12:00 to 17:00 for 4 POST-certified hours.
Wednesday, August 12: A full training day offering up to 8 POST hours. Morning and afternoon blocks each present five concurrent sessions; attendees choose one per block. The evening concludes with a Social Mixer open to all attendees and exhibitors.
Thursday, August 13: A full training day structured identically to Wednesday, with 8 more POST hours available. The evening is reserved for the Awards Ceremony Dinner in the Compass Ballroom at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, August 14: Closing sessions deliver the final 4 POST hours, rounding out the full 24-hour CPT cycle.
The Awards Ceremony Dinner
Thursday evening is set aside for one of the most substantive traditions in the California reserve law enforcement community. The ARPOC Awards Dinner, held in the Compass Ballroom beginning at 6:30 p.m., recognizes reserve officers, search and rescue members, and volunteers in policing whose service has distinguished them within their agencies and communities.
Award categories presented at the 2026 dinner include the Award for Valor, the Award of Honor, the Meritorious Service Award, the Distinguished Service Award, Coordinator of the Year, Reserve Officer of the Year, SAR Member of the Year, Volunteer in Policing of the Year, and the Award of Appreciation. Each carries specific criteria reviewed and applied by the CRPOA Awards Committee.
Attendance at the dinner is included in standard conference registration. Additional tickets for guests, spouses, or colleagues are available at $100 per person. Nominations must be submitted through the ARPOC Awards Nomination page no later than July 3, 2026.
Networking and the Vendor Area
ARPOC draws reserve peace officers, law enforcement volunteers, and search and rescue professionals from across California, representing a cross-section of the reserve community that is difficult to assemble outside of a dedicated event. The Social Mixer on Wednesday evening provides informal time for that professional exchange, and the vendor area running throughout the conference showcases current products and services relevant to reserve law enforcement.
For reserve officers who serve in smaller agencies or operate as one of a limited number of reserves within a department, the networking component of ARPOC is often cited as one of its most valuable elements. The connections formed across agencies, classifications, and regions reflect the breadth of the reserve community statewide.
The Venue: Margaritaville Resort, South Lake Tahoe
ARPOC 2026 is held at the newly renovated Margaritaville Resort, located along Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe, California. The resort is an all-suite property with direct proximity to restaurants, casinos, shopping, and the lake, offering a setting that extends beyond the conference program itself for attendees who plan to arrive before Tuesday or extend their stay through the weekend.
A negotiated room block is available for ARPOC attendees at a rate of $171 per night, not including taxes, with a reduced resort fee of $25 and a reduced valet parking rate of $25 per day. The hotel operates valet-only parking through a secure, locked garage. Hotel reservations can be made through the CRPOA-specific booking link on the ARPOC registration page.
Pricing and Registration
Registration for ARPOC 2026 is currently open, with early bird rates in effect through June 30, 2026.
CRPOA Members (and CPOA / FOP members):
- Early bird rate: $475 (through June 30)
- Standard rate: $500 (July 1–31)
- Late rate: $525 (August 1–11)
Non-Members:
- Early bird rate: $575 (through June 30), which includes a one-year CRPOA membership
- Standard rate: $600 (July 1–31)
- Late rate: $625 (August 1–11)
All registration tiers include access to sessions of the attendee’s choice across all four days, all conference meals, and attendance at the Awards Ceremony Dinner on Thursday evening.
For officers attending as non-members, the early bird registration rate effectively includes a year of CRPOA membership at no additional cost above the conference fee, covering access to the Legal Services Plan, legislative monitoring, and professional development resources.
Learn More & Get Involved with CRPOA
The California Reserve Peace Officers Association (CRPOA) is dedicated to supporting reserve peace officers through advocacy, training, and professional resources that strengthen the reserve law enforcement community across California. If this article raised questions about reserve service, training opportunities, or the issues impacting reserve officers today, CRPOA provides the information and support you need to stay informed and connected.
To learn more about membership, training resources, and the Annual Reserve Peace Officers Conference (ARPOC), visit crpoa.org or contact the CRPOA office at (855) 552-7762.
