Targeting the generational gaps found in many police departments, the University of Utah will roll out a new professional education leadership training program.

Classes start on Tuesday for the summer certificate program, offered in partnership with the Utah Criminal Justice Center and current law enforcement leadership, to fill holes left by the impending retirement of many senior employees coupled with a higher turnover rate among younger officers.

Participants will learn principles of successful leadership, how to lead and motivate teams, how to effectively solve problems and the principles and application of strategic planning.

"We tapped into years of on-the-job leadership experience across a variety of agencies and locations to create this program," said Anne O'Brien, director of professional education at the U. "By really looking at what works and what doesn't, we've been able to create a very solid, standardized leadership program for Utah's law enforcement agencies."

Certification involves nine all-day classes over three semesters and includes discussions on diversity and communications, community relationships, budgeting and risk management and others. The idea is to "provide a more cohesive and communicative public safety organization in Utah," O'Brien said.

The number of seasoned and new officers leaving jobs has created some sort of generational crisis in the law enforcement sector, one that will continue to worsen, as the Utah Occupational Projections report estimates that the need for law enforcement workers will grow almost 20 percent by 2016.

"This leadership development course will provide current and emerging law enforcement leaders and the tools they need to carry on the rich legacy of public safety we enjoy and at the same time, effectively address current and future community safety challenges," said Camille Anthony, executive director of the Utah Criminal Justice Center.

Participants of the program, which is being funded with a grant from the State of Utah Commission of Criminal and Juvenile Justice, will finish with a plan of action for positive change within their own organizations, thus accomplishing the ultimate goal of the program.

Members of law enforcement interested in the program can register online at www.proed.utah.edu.

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