OMAHA, Neb. -- The Nebraska State Patrol is hosting the 2022 Uniformed Safety Education Officers Workshop (USEOW).

The USEOW event has brought state troopers from around the country to Omaha this week.

“We are tremendously honored to host our fellow troopers in Nebraska this week to share traffic and public safety ideas that will make each of our states safer,” Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol said.

USEOW began in 1968 with a partnership of the Nebraska State Patrol, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Iowa State Patrol. Since then, it has grown and now draws troopers from across the country to participate.

Throughout the workshop, troopers will demonstrate the traffic and public safety presentations they give in their local communities. Troopers from other participating states are encouraged to adapt those presentations for use in their own state.

“Those are the kind of things that break down barriers,” said Bolduc. “Having a trooper in uniform, talking to the public, humanizing that badge, and presentation safety education to our communities, that builds trust.”

Gov. Pete Ricketts, Bolduc, Kansas Highway Patrol Col. Herman Jones, and Iowa State Patrol Major Mark Stine each spoke during the opening ceremonies on July 11, which also featured Omaha Police Department Pipes and Drums. The conference runs July 11 to July 14, at the Embassy Suites in Omaha’s Old Market.