See companion piece “Class Notes: A Perspective From the Inaugural CPE Class President“

In January, APCO International proudly hosted the capstone course of its inaugural Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) Program. Graduates of the program, who represent 13 states and Canada, were honored January 13 during a beachside ceremony at the Hilton Daytona Beach.

Graduates of APCO’s new Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) Program. Top row (left to right): Ashlee Zahn; Charles Vitale; Sharon Crook; Ryan Lawson; Robert Bloom; Sheila Blevins; Renee Gordon; Angela Bowen; Christina Dravis; Derek K. Poarch, Executive Director and CEO, APCO International; Bill Duggan, Mark Cannon, Chief of Staff, APCO International; and Margie Moulin. Bottom row (left to right): Robin Tieman; Hope Lindsey; Deanna Wells; Tina Powell; Sheri Hokamp; Kimberly Burdick; Diane Pinckney, and Lysa Baker. Not pictured: Mark Spross

CPE Program participants come from different backgrounds and professional experience, but they have in common a strong desire to learn how to become effective leaders at their agencies and within the public safety communications industry. Ask any of the recent graduates what they thought of the program and you’re likely to hear one phrase over and over again: “It’s life changing.”

CPE students Robin Tieman, RPL, CPE, (left) and Margie Moulin, RPL, CPE, (right) listen as Mark Spross, RPL, CPE, makes a point during the program’s capstone seminar at APCO’s headquarters.

The program’s combination of research, study and self-assessment ensures that students graduate from the program prepared to lead public safety communications agencies through the complex environment in which they operate and to serve as mentors to others with whom they work. Program instructors include master’s- and doctoral-level professionals in the field of organizational development and leadership. Drawing on resources from these renowned leadership professionals and distinguished academic resources, the CPE Program allows participants to explore topics that include management versus leadership, models/theories of leadership, leadership styles, public safety leadership issues, and executing and managing change.

Although the six-month-long CPE journey is f1lled with a rigorous study of traditional leadership theories and concepts, the unique strength of the program is that the capstone seminar creates an environment in which each participant – through introspection, self-assessment and discussion – discovers his or her own leadership style. The exercise is vital to allowing each participant to become an authentic leader, driven by their own personal values, experiences and strengths.

Although the nine-day capstone course involved intense study and introspection, CPE Instructor Dr. Steven Edwards ensured there were lighthearted moments as well. Students Christina Dravis, RPL,CPE;Robert Bloom, RPL, CPE;and Renee Gordon, RPL, CPE, share a laugh on the last day of the seminar.

The CPE Program is open to APCO Registered Public-Safety Leaders (RPLs), individuals with a minimum of an associate’s degree and those with a high school diploma and at least 10 years’ experience in public safety communications at the supervisor, manager or director level. If you have the desire to do more at your agency and to lead our industry forward, apply now – seats are limited.

Applications are being accepted until April 15 for the next two CPE sessions, scheduled to begin in July 2017 and January 2018. For more information on the program, visit apcointl.org/cpe, or contact us with questions at cpe@apcointl.org. Financial assistance is available through APCO’s scholarship program. The deadline to apply for scholarships is March 31, visit apcointl.org/scholarships.

Introducing  APCO’s First Certified Public-Safety Executives

Lysa Baker, RPL, CPE, Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Sheila Blevins, RPL, CPE Marana Police Department Marana, Arizona

Robert Bloom, RPL, CPE City of Alexandria Alexandria, Virginia

Angela Bowen, RPL, CPE Georgia Public Safety Training Center, Forsyth, Georgia

Kimberly Burdick, RPL, CPE Chouteau County Sheriff ’s Office Fort Benton, Montana

Mark Cannon, CPE APCO International Alexandria, Virginia

Sharon Crook, CPE, Union County Emergency Communications, Monroe, North Carolina

Christina Dravis, RPL, CPE Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response, Ithaca, New York

William Duggan, RPL, CPE Lyon County Emergency Communications Center Emporia, Kansas

Renee Gordon, RPL, CPE, City of Alexandria – Department of Emergency Communications, Alexandria, Virginia

Sheri Hokamp, RPL, CPE, City of Biloxi Police Department, Biloxi, Mississippi

Ryan Lawson, CPE E-Comm 9-1-1, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Hope Lindsey, CPE, Baker County Consolidated Dispatch, Baker City, Oregon

Margie Moulin, RPL, CPE Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon, Central Point, Oregon

Diane Pinckney, RPL, CPE Savannah Chatham Metro Police Department, Savannah, Georgia

Derek K. Poarch, CPE APCO International Alexandria, Virginia

Tina Powell, CPE, Weld County Regional Communications Center, Greely, Colorado

Mark Spross, RPL, CPE Clackamas County Communications Oregon City, Oregon

Robin Tieman, RPL, CPE Cass County Emergency Services Board Harrisonville, Missouri

Charles Vitale, RPL, CPE Emergency Communications Department, Rochester, New York

Deanna Wells, RPL, CPE Cowlitz County 911, Kelso, Washington

Ashlee Zahn, CPE, Whitfield County 911, Dalton, Georgia