Editor’s note: In 2026, agencies across the U.S. will be tasked with securing high-profile, high-stakes events, demanding advanced coordination, threat detection, communications reliability and life-saving response capabilities. When the pressure’s on, will your agency’s systems hold up? Check out Police1’s Securing 2026 coverage, sponsored by L3Harris, to learn what every agency must have in place for high-risk events.
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As agencies prepare for a busy 2026 event calendar — including national celebrations, elections and major sporting events, including Super Bowl 60, the FIFA World Cup and America 250 — law enforcement leaders are reexamining how they plan, equip and coordinate special event operations.
In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Lieutenant Jon Zimmer of the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Police Department and Captain John Mocello of the City of Winchester (Virginia) Police Department.
They share how intelligence-led planning, interagency coordination and the right mix of equipment — from barriers to drones — can make the difference between smooth operations and preventable chaos.
| MORE: Fortify the foundation: What every agency must have in place for high-risk events
About our guests
Lieutenant Jon Zimmer has over 21 years of law enforcement experience with the Anne Arundel County Police Department in Maryland. He has served in various command assignments, including patrol, special operations, special events and internal affairs. Over the past 2 years, he was instrumental in developing his agency’s new Special Events Unit and collaborating with various government agencies to implement new event legislation and a standardized special event permit process. Lt. Zimmer is a graduate of Saint Louis University and FBI National Academy Session 295. Connect with Lt. Zimmer on LinkedIn.
Captain John Mocello has served as a law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2007. Before his sworn service, he worked with a regional criminal justice training academy, where he developed online programs and instructed a variety of courses.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 295) and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Professional Executive Leadership School (Session 55).
Throughout his career, Captain Mocello has held a wide range of assignments, including patrol officer, field training officer, detective, forensic interviewer, FBI Safe Streets Task Force officer, detective sergeant and lieutenant. He currently commands the Patrol Operations Division for the City of Winchester, Virginia. His previous command roles have included oversight of the Traffic Management, Special Enforcement, Emergency Response (tactical and negotiations), K-9 and Civil Disturbance units, among several other specialized programs. He has also served as the department’s emergency management liaison and special events coordinator.
An experienced investigator and leader, Captain Mocello has led complex investigations at the local, state, national and international levels, addressing crimes such as homicide, narcotics, sex crimes, juvenile offenses and human trafficking. He is a frequent presenter to local, state and federal partners on topics including homicide, overdose and gang investigations, as well as best practices in report writing. Connect with Captain Mocello on LinkedIn.
About our sponsor
L3Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications is a leading supplier of communications systems and equipment for public safety, federal, utility, commercial and transportation markets. The business has more than 80 years of experience in public safety and professional communications and supports more than 500 systems around the world. L3Harris has approximately $17 billion in annual revenue and 50,000 employees, with customers in 130 countries. Learn more at L3Harris.com.
Tune in to hear
- The intelligence-driven strategies that prevent “it can’t happen here” mistakes
- The essential gear every agency should prioritize before 2026
- How technology and AI are changing real-time event management
- Why trust, communication and relationships remain the foundation of preparedness
- Why smaller, routine events often pose the biggest planning challenges
Key takeaways from this episode
Standardize event planning across all scales: Major national events get attention and funding, but smaller local gatherings — parades, concerts, festivals — often lack structure and coordination. Agencies should apply the same unified command and ICS-based planning to every event, regardless of size.
Intelligence must drive every plan: Fusion centers, crime analysts and regional networks should inform security postures. Agencies must monitor national trends, evaluate local risks and be prepared to postpone or cancel when threats can’t be mitigated.
Collaboration prevents chaos: Success depends on involving all stakeholders early — police, fire, EMS, public works, parks and recreation, and city leadership. Shared
terminology and communication channels prevent silos and confusion during an incident.
Assess risk before deployment: Use a standardized risk matrix to evaluate crowd size, alcohol use, traffic impact and strain on EMS and police resources. Adjust staffing and resources accordingly.
Invest in the right gear: Agencies should prioritize mobile vehicle barriers, drones (including tethered options), trauma kits, reliable communications gear and officer protection equipment.
Leverage technology responsibly: Real-time information centers, drone programs and AI-assisted monitoring improve situational awareness. But transparency and public engagement are critical to maintaining trust.
Relationships remain the backbone: Technology helps, but knowing your counterparts in other agencies — and training together — is what ensures rapid, coordinated response when it matters most.
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Police1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
