Executive Leadership Certificate Program

Overview

The Executive Leadership Certificate Program (ELCP) is the California Police Chiefs Association’s (CPCA) flagship executive development series, preparing current and aspiring police executives to shape the future of policing. Designed for chiefs and command staff at every stage of their careers, ELCP sharpens executive mindset and presence while empowering participants to model and demonstrate effective leadership in action.

Guided by a multi-sector advisory council and CPCA’s Professional Development Committee, the program blends expert presenters, collaborative curriculum design, and applied learning experiences. Through three integrated three-day courses—Principles of Executive Leadership in Policing, Critical Leadership Issues in Policing, and Effective Stewardship in Policing—participants gain innovative leadership frameworks, evidence-based models, real-world insights, and a statewide network of colleagues. These resources can be applied immediately in the police executive role, equipping leaders to navigate an ever-evolving landscape of challenges and opportunities.

Participants who complete all three courses of the program within three years are awarded the California Police Chiefs Association’s Executive Leadership Certificate. Those who have completed Foundations of Executive Leadership in Policing and Critical Considerations for the Police Executive can apply both courses to the certificate’s three course requirement.

What You Will Gain

• Strengthen executive effectiveness by aligning leadership identity, influence, and practices with CPCA’s Fundamental Executive Attributes and Core Competencies.

• Apply proven frameworks and strategies to lead confidently through organizational change, crisis, and evolving stakeholder expectations.

• Refine leadership capacity across six dimensions: setting direction, aligning the organization, mobilizing leaders, engaging authorizing environments, connecting with stakeholders, and managing personal effectiveness. 

• Gain insights from experienced presenters who connect evidence-based leadership concepts with the realities of policing and public service.

• Build a trusted network of colleagues and thought partners to support professional growth, collaboration, and collective leadership capacity.

Who Should Attend

• Police chiefs and command staff, regardless of CPCA membership status, seeking to enhance their executive presence, sharpen decision-making, and strengthen organizational leadership.

• Current executives who want to broaden perspectives and reinvigorate innovative leadership strategies to help navigate complex challenges.

• Aspiring leaders preparing for greater responsibility and advancement into executive roles in policing.

• Forward-thinking changemakers committed to collaboration, excellence, and shaping the future of policing.

Education Courses

Principles of Executive Leadership in Policing (PELP)

PELP invites police executives to reflect and elevate their leadership practices by focusing on the fundamental attributes and core competencies essential to the chief executive role. The session introduces strategic frameworks, executive-level perspectives, and tools and technologies for navigating the evolving demands of leading a police organization.

Through the CPCA COPS Leadership Framework, participants explore the pillars of Curiosity, Onboarding, People, and Storytelling and examine how public value, technology, and data-informed strategies can support ethical, effective leadership. Participants gain insights for sustained excellence, and engage in a design process to co-create a blueprint for the future for their agencies.

View sample schedule

Critical Leadership Issues in Policing (CLIP)

CLIP equips police executives to navigate complex legal and operational environments with confidence and strategic foresight. Through expert-led modules and case-based learning, participants gain a deeper understanding of key topics such as discipline, liability, political dynamics, labor relations, and risk mitigation. 

The session underscores the importance of staying informed, legally grounded, and responsive to emerging challenges, opportunities, and stakeholder expectations. Participants also engage in peer-to-peer learning, collaboratively addressing current issues agencies are facing.

View sample schedule

Effective Stewardship in Policing (ESP)

ESP is the capstone session, emphasizing the legacy responsibilities of police executives as stewards of organizational culture, community trust, and internal accountability. This session engages leaders in fostering ethical agency climates, understanding generational influences on the workforce, sworn and non-sworn dynamics, community engagement, and navigating issues of race and legitimacy in policing.

Through a focus on values-driven leadership, communication, critical thinking, effective followership, and public engagement, participants examine how to remain centered and effective in meeting the demands of agency stewardship during day-to-day operations, and in the extreme conditions of a crisis.

View sample schedule

Getting Your Certificate

To receive your Executive Leadership Certificate, you must complete all of the courses listed above within a 3-year window. You may take them in any order; however, it is recommended to take them in the order listed below. When you sign up for your final course, you'll check a box to let us know on your registration form, and we will prepare your certificate to be awarded in person at the end of the course.

Recommended Course Order:

1. Principles of Executive Leadership in Policing (PELP)*
2. Critical Leadership Issues in Policing (CLIP)*
3. Effective Stewardship in Policing (ESP)

To register, please visit our Event Calendar to view this year's offerings.

*FELP has been updated to PELP, and CCPE has been updated to CLIP. If you took either course under the previous name, it will still count towards your certificate!