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Please note that event details will continue to be updated as additional speakers, creators, and other programming information are announced. This tool is provided solely for your convenience in planning your weekend and is subject to change without notice. No reservations are required to attend any non-VIP session.

Learn More & Register for CrimeCon 2026 →
Saturday May 30, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm PDT
Law&Crime presents the 4th annual America’s Greatest Detective Award, a title awarded annually at the CrimeCon CLUE Awards to recognize the most complex investigative work done by teams or individuals working in or adjacent to law enforcement.

The role of a detective requires grit—but for women in a male-dominated field, it also demands a profound level of intentionality. In this session, this year’s official AGD nominees—an elite group of four detectives—offer an inside look at the cases, challenges, and realities behind their work.

They represent a new era where solving the case is only one part of the mission. These nominees are actively rewriting the rules of the industry by fostering collaborative environments where women work together to crack codes and solve crimes. From the tactical strategies used to break through institutional barriers to the essential work of helping female officers manage the high-stakes stress of the force, this conversation explores how these leaders use their success as a platform to teach, protect, and empower the next generation of female investigators.
Moderators
avatar for Tom Rizzo

Tom Rizzo

Co-Host, On Patrol: Live
Tom began his law enforcement career in 2001, as a Patrolman with the Middlesex Borough Police Department (NJ). In 2004, he was hired by the Howell Township Police Department (NJ), where he is currently serving as the Investigations Division Commander at the rank of Captain. Tom formulated... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Alyson Dupouy

Alyson Dupouy

Detective, Montgomery County Police
Detective Alyson Dupouy has served with the Montgomery County Police Department for over 22 years, including 18 in investigative roles. Her experience spans gang investigations, human trafficking, commercial robbery, missing people, sexual assault cases, and homicides.  She is currently... Read More →
avatar for Tara Augustin

Tara Augustin

Detective, Montgomery County Police
Detective Tara Augustin has worked for the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland for approximately 20 years, with 15 years of experience as an investigator. Detective Augustin’s work in solving the Leslie Preer cold case homicide has been featured on episodes of ABC’s... Read More →
avatar for Jenn Benjamins

Jenn Benjamins

Retired Sergeant, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Jenn Benjamins is a retired Sergeant from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with over 22 years of experience in patrol, investigations, and undercover operations, including Vice, Narcotics, and Organized Crime. In a traditionally male-dominated space, she defied expectations by not only... Read More →
avatar for Vicki Rains Pearson

Vicki Rains Pearson

Investigator, South Carolina Sheriff Dept
Vicki Rains is a dedicated law enforcement professional with over 26 years of experience serving communities in both Kansas and South Carolina. She began her career on patrol, later advancing to the Criminal Investigation Division, where she developed a strong foundation in investigative... Read More →
Saturday May 30, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm PDT
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