The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | December 2020
NJSACOP Command & Leadership Academy Update
By Paul Sorrentino , Deputy Chief ( Ret .), Command & Leadership Program Manager
The Command and Leadership Academy , faculty and students faced many of the same challenges that our agencies , personnel and ( we ) personally faced during a year that presented a health crisis , civil unrest , and incredible uncertainty . As the calendar year changes to 2021 , we continue to face a pandemic , officer wellness issues , financial questions , and more uncertainty . Many have reflected over the past 12 months and asked themselves if they have ever been challenged in their careers and personal lives as they have in 2020 .
Crisis , Instability and Change ? Follower Disenchantment ? Mediocrity ? For our graduates of the Command and Leadership Academy , these questions are familiar . For those who are not familiar , apply the questions to yourself ( as a Leader ), your agency and your personal life . In 2009-2010 , the Command and Leadership curriculum was updated to reflect changes in the PL300 course delivered at the United States Military Academy – West Point . The importance of Transformational Leadership had always been discussed , but during the curriculum update , Transformational Leadership was moved to Area I to further accentuate the theory . The change emphasized the importance of the Leader ’ s ability to self-evaluate and apply the concept of Be , Know , Do .
Future Opportunity ? How do w e address the “ daily fires ” while remaining focused on the long-term success and “ health ” of our personnel and organizations ? We have faced challenges in our careers . Some challenges have been greater than others , but in the end Crisis , Instability and Change existed . Follower Disenchantment existed . Mediocrity existed . Most importantly , Future Opportunity always exists .
The Command and Leadership Academy successfully graduated two sessions in 2020 . The Spring 2020 class began their session in-person at three sites : Morris County , New Castle County ( Delaware ) and Atlantic County . Mid-way through the program the restrictions of COVID-19 impacted the three classes and forced our faculty to suspend delivery . Students returned to a virtual classroom in the summer to complete the program . Faculty and students continued to face the challenges of the pandemic , civil unrest and personnel issues but eagerly returned to the “ classroom ” for the opportunity to further their personal growth and affect positive change in their agencies .
The entire Fall 2020 session was delivered virtually and again students and faculty were challenged with delivering the curriculum in an unfamiliar and nontraditional environment . Once again , our students and faculty faced Crisis , Instability and Change and the program w as delivered in a manner that met our student ’ s expectations . The feedback from students was consistent , they did not prefer the virtual environment , but most importantly , they expressed the value of the material and the impact the program had on them personally and professionally . The virtual environment also provided an opportunity for faculty members to participate in Command and Leadership classes delivered ( virtually ) at different locations . The experience provided students with different perspectives and reacquainted faculty members with their peers .
2021 will bring more challenges but also Future Opportunity . The Command and Leadership Academy Spring session will again be delivered virtually . Students and Faculty will adapt to the environment . Future Opportunity exists in the establishment of a new Middlesex / Somerset class . The new class will provide the central portion of New Jersey access to the program . The development of new faculty members at this site and at our existing locations further bolsters our cadre and provides new perspectives . 2021 will also include the review and updating of our current curriculum .
The challenges of this year could not have been met without Lead Instructors , Bill McKnight , Bill Harden and our Command and Leadership Academy faculty . Their commitment to the program and the advancement of Leadership is unmatched . Jennifer Conover and Melissa Gaines must also be recognized for their support of the program and assistance throughout 2020 .
2020 has provided Crisis , Instability and Change …. has provided Follower Disenchantment …. has provided Mediocrity …. but it has also provided Future Opportunity . Leadership is a challenge , but you , the Leader , are not alone .
In 2021 , the NJSACOP Command and Leadership Academy will be delivered at 4 locations :
· Morris County · New Castle County ( Delaware ) · Middlesex / Somerset County · Atlantic County
For additional information and applications : https :// www . njsacop . org / content . asp ? contentid = 54 .
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