By Ari Bloomekatz
Enquirer staff writer

Law enforcement officers from across the globe are descending on Cincinnati next week for the Crime Stoppers International Training Conference at the Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center.

About 15 officers from Cincinnati will join nearly 450 law enforcement personnel from as far away as South Africa to listen to experts in criminology and to exchange ideas and tactics.

Cincinnati Police Capt. Vince Demasi said he is excited about finding new ideas and ways of approaching problems and issues.

"Anytime you get a group that has this international flavor to it, you always have a lot of networking that occurs and it serves as kind of a think tank," Demasi said.

Crime Stoppers is an international organization that offers rewards for tips and information leading to arrests and convictions.

Sgt. William Bell of Cincinnati police said the department has a strong Crime Stoppers program and will be sharing ideas and leading workshops during the week.

Bell is heading a dialogue workshop between Cincinnati youth and police officers at the convention, and said he hopes the sessions can help community-oriented policing.

"Generally if we learn a little bit about each other, it makes it easier for us to work together," Bell said.

Other training sessions include forensics, terrorism, police management and leadership skills.

Dr. Emily Craig, a forensic anthropologist who heads the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office in Frankfort, will speakabout problems identifying victims and the positive role that media and Crime Stoppers can play.

The Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau said the event adds more than $250,000 to the local economy.

Some of the events during the week, such as a three-city run Sunday and a golf outing Friday, are fund-raisers for the organization.

Demasi said Greater Cincinnati Crime Stoppers gave away nearly $100,000 in reward money from 2002-2003.

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E-mail abloomekatz@enquirer.com