New Chief Development Program

Purpose:

The New Chief Development Program (NCDP) originated as a result of House Bill 1881 and mandated training for first-time chiefs taking office on or after January 1, 1999. The purpose of NCDP is to provide timely job-related training and professional education to chiefs in the early stages of their career as a police executive.

Issue:

With a growing number of new chiefs appointed each year there was a need for training in Texas. The few executive training courses offered nationally were quite costly. The Texas Police Chief Association set forth a legislative initiative to address the professional development and job-related skills necessary to perform successfully in the role of police chief that resulted in the passage of HB 1881.

Course Concept:

LEMIT will bring together chiefs in their first year on the job for two intensive training sessions.

Part I - New Chief Development Program - 40 hour session - Scheduled in Huntsville at the LEMIT Building and devoted to general professional development for new chiefs heading all types/sizes of police agencies. The training is designed for those individuals who have moved into the chief’s job for the very first time. The curriculum was developed following a survey of current police chiefs, a survey of new police chiefs, regional focus groups, and two pilot courses.

Part II - Texas Police Chief Leadership Series - 40 hour session - Provided regionally in a two-year cycle. Attendance of NCDP must be completed before attending TPCLS.

Desired Outcome:

New police chiefs in Texas now have an excellent opportunity to receive quality executive training tailored to their needs, early in their new positions, at no cost. Quality training, delivered in a timely fashion, should enable chiefs to avoid pitfalls, perform more effectively and comfortably, and be better managers of departmental resources.

Registration

Print the registration form, fill it out and fax to the number at the top of the form. A confirmation letter will be mailed immediately back to the department. Contact us if you have not received the confirmation letter within three weeks of faxing the registration form. A reminder letter will be mailed 30 days prior to the training session.

Hotel:

The confirmation letter will provide hotel contact information. Each Chief should make his/her own hotel reservations before the deadline to ensure the contracted rate.

Expenses:

While there is no registration cost to enroll in the New Chief Development Program, the agency will be responsible for all travel expenses to and from the training, hotel cost, and dinner meal, during the training week.

Schedule for the Week:

Participants should arrive at the designated hotel on Sunday afternoon after 3:00 PM. Breakfast will be provided at the hotel each morning. Class is held every day 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM in room 202 of the LEMIT Building. Lunch will be provided each day. On Monday at 4:15 PM, a group photo will be taken. A coat and tie is required. On Friday, the graduation ceremony will start at 1:00 PM and will conclude no later than 3:00 PM.

Dress for the Week:

Business casual is acceptable. Clothing should be professional. No caps or shorts.

LEMIT Building:

The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas is located at: 1600 Bobby K. Marks Dr. (formerly Avenue H), Huntsville, Texas, at the corner of Marks and 16th Street on the campus of Sam Houston State University. It is also located right next door to the University Hotel. Parking is free right in front of the building and the hotel. There is also a free parking lot across 16th Street. Parking passes should be put in the front windshield and will be available at the University Hotel lobby desk or in class on Monday morning. The LEMIT Building is a tobacco-free building.

Firearms:

Firearms are not required for this course and should not be publicly displayed in the building.

TCLEOSE Credit:

Participants who complete the program will earn 40 hrs. for TCLEOSE Course 3780 – New Chief’s Course.

Part II - Texas Police Chief Leadership Series

Participants of NCDP will be given information about TPCLS training dates and locations. We encourage you to visit our website at www.lemitonline.org.

For questions we haven’t thought of please contact Donna Garcia, Program Coordinator at (936) 294-3852, djg011@shsu.edu or Yvette Shorten, Assistant Coordinator at (936) 294-3851, wys001@shsu.edu.