Certificate program assists law enforcement professionals

A new postbaccalaureate certificate program is available at UD to police officers and others in the law enforcement profession, according to Joyce Hunter, continuing education, who coordinates the program.

"As law enforcement professionals move through the ranks and are promoted to administrative jobs, they require a new set of skills to help with the transition. After discussion with the law enforcement community, this program within the master of public administration degree program has been developed," Hunter said.

"Continuing education has an interest in developing relationships with the University's different colleges, and this program marks an important milestone in cooperation between the division and a college," she said. "Students enrolled in the certificate program take courses with those enrolled in the master of public administration degree program in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy (CHEP), and, when they have completed the certificate program, they will have a quarter of the credits needed for a master's degree if they wish to continue."

Lt. Joe Evans, public safety, is the first to complete the certificate program. A 1979 graduate of UD, he joined Public Safety that year and is in charge of training public safety officers. He also is involved in personnel issues.

The new certificate program, "Leadership and Public Management for Law Enforcement Professionals," got its start when Evans was serving on a statewide criminal justice advisory group with Hunter. The committee was looking for new training opportunities in the criminal justice system, and Douglas Tuttle, public administration, who has a law enforcement background, was involved in developing the program. Also, CHEP Dean Dan Rich was supportive and helped instigate the program, Hunter said.

"Traditionally, law enforcement officers train with each other, which means they also are reinforcing each others' values and beliefs," Tuttle said. "Providing opportunities for them to consider management and policy issues with other professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and career choices is important because the law enforcement challenges of today require leadership that can draw upon a multidisciplinary education as well as excellent judgment."

Evans is enthusiastic about the program, noting that it already has been helpful in his job and also was a convenient way for him to continue his education.

"When you have been out of school for a long time and are busy with your job, family and community, you need an incentive to return to school. It is easy to enroll in the program–all you need is a bachelor's degree–and when you finish, you have learned a lot and have earned nine credits toward a master of public administration degree. I feel more confident about returning to school, and I am definitely considering applying formally for admission to the master's program. I would recommend the program to others in law enforcement," he said.

Of the courses offered, which range from labor relations to public finance and fiscal management, Evans took the public administration seminar and chose courses dealing with human resources and criminal justice.

"Much of my work involves personnel issues, and the course in human resources and training and development were useful. I also learned about 'hot button' topics in the criminal justice field, such as computer evidence and privacy issues," he said.

Studying was a family affair, Evans said. "I have two daughters, and we would sit in the living room and do our homework together. My 15-year-old daughter would quiz me about my schoolwork the way I quizzed her about her assignments. I was a role model when it came to doing homework."

For information about the Leadership and Public Management for Law Enforcement Professionals program, call Hunter at 831-8839 or send e-mail to [jdhunter@ udel.edu].

–Sue Moncure

Photo by KATHY FLICKINGER