These past few weeks have certainly been hectic. It is budget season at the City and the days are long, and the weeks are longer. Some days I find it hard to find time to do just the simple things. Like writing these articles, let alone what that article is going to be about. Enter this past week. When I retired from law enforcement to become the City Manager, I had made it a priority to build the future leadership of the Police Department. Not that they were not already sending officers to command school, they just were doing it enough. Any leader should plan for their succession. In particular as it applies to government and the services we provide. If we don’t have a succession plan, that next man up mentality, who steps in if something were to happen to us, or we move on to bigger and better things?

That all being said, I was invited by the police chief to attend a graduation ceremony for three command officers in the police department. My schedule is hectic, but I made time to attend this event. It is important that they know I support their endeavor into leadership. This graduation is nothing to scoff at. It is extremely intense, and time-consuming. It is in essence the Navy Seal training in leadership, which is why so many leaders in law enforcement are successful and move on to bigger and better things later in life. This class prepares them for many obstacles they may face in a leadership role. It is good for the City of Pekin, and the Citizens, as it prepares our police officers for the future and provides the community with a bright future of leadership.

The Northwestern University Center of Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command was piloted in 1983. Northwestern provides many training opportunities for law enforcement, including a worldwide recognized traffic safety program. However, the School of Police Staff and Command stands out, as the only other comparable is the FBI National Academy and they run parallel to each other in popularity and leadership education.

This class prepares these leaders for the future. It puts them in stressful situations. There is much work to complete. Staff studies, theories, etc. They are tested from the first week, (it’s a ten-week training), and these individuals must complete this while still performing their duties at work, and at home. Some are in the midst of completing their master’s program on top of all of this. I have been there, and I know the work that goes into these ten weeks, and the satisfaction one feels when they attend that graduation. It is a sense of accomplishment. It is the installment of confidence in leading. It is the connections they made in this class that they will always maintain, and lean on during times of struggle. This class was class number 596. They have 596 classes of leaders to support them, and it is something they will eventually lean on. I know, as I have leaned on many who have been through the struggles and we all work together.

So, I want to congratulate Deputy Chief Brian Willmert, Lieutenant Justin Rabe, and Lieutenant Matthew Kirk for a job well done. You continue to serve your community well and the Pekin Community should be very proud of you for this accomplishment. You are not alone. Chief Ranney has attended along with other leadership in the police department. I am proud that many have achieved this same accomplishment, and thank you Chief Ranney for seeing the need for this education to continue building the future of the police department. Job well done!