RICHMOND - Law enforcement officers from 13 agencies in the commonwealth were recognized today for completing the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Academy of Police Supervision.

The officers graduated from the agency’s 19th APS class.

The APS, also called the sergeant’s academy, is a three-week (120-hour) training program for newly promoted sergeants or officers who are on their agency’s promotion list.

“It is very important that we develop ourselves as leaders,” Operation UNITE Deputy Law Enforcement Director Paul Hays told the class.

Hays was the guest speaker for the graduation ceremony.

 “Good leadership will dictate the future of law enforcement,” he said.

While in the course, students participate in classes focusing on the role of a supervisor, as well as leadership, resolving conflict, managing diversity, monitoring officer performance, professional image, legal issues for supervisors, ethics, interpersonal communication, effective written communication, making decisions, solving problems, managing critical incidents, public speaking, emotional survival, budgeting, media relations and others.

The program includes reading and writing assignments and scenario-based exercises designed to enhance the students’ ability to perform at the supervisor’s level in their agencies. APS is hands-on, with as much skill demonstration as classroom work.

The APS is a stepping stone to the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Criminal Justice Executive Development program, which is a five-week advanced leadership course offered once a year for supervisors at Kentucky’s small and medium-size law enforcement agencies. Potential CJED students must rank sergeant or above and be selected by a committee to take part in the course.

The first APS class graduated in June 2003.

APS XIX graduates and their agencies are:

Robert Brann, Louisville Metro Police Department

Steven G. Butts, Florence Police Department

Chris Castlen, Owensboro Police Department

Jennifer A. Coe, Louisville Metro Police Department

Todd Dedman, Fort Thomas Police Department

Kahlil Flesher, Bowling Green Police Department

Eric Greenlief, Georgetown Police Department

Chad Irwin, Florence Police Department

Kenneth McKenzie, Owensboro Police Department

Theodore G. Mitchell, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Bob Mott, Richmond Police Department

Matt Sanderson, Madisonville Police Department

Micah Scheu, Louisville Metro Police Department

Anthony J. Steimle, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Police Department

David R. White, Paducah Police Department

Craig Young, Princeton Police Department

Three Operation UNITE supervisors