The FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) recently launched its new Five Star Chief Executive Institute, an advanced leadership program for senior law enforcement leaders.

Inaugural Class Completes Training

The inaugural class was hosted by the Steele County Sheriff’s Office (Minnesota) under Sheriff Lon Thiele, who also serves as president of FBI-LEEDA. The two-week intensive training was delivered in two phases, Blue Week (February 2–6) and Gold Week (March 9–13).

Intensive Leadership Training

Exclusively designed for FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award recipients, individuals who have completed the organization's Supervisor Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute, and Executive Leadership Institute programs, the program offers chiefs, sheriffs, and senior commanders two weeks of intensive training in strategic leadership, risk management, and data-informed decision-making.

"As president of FBI-LEEDA, having the opportunity to host the inaugural Five Star Chief Executive Institute in my own community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career," Thiele said. “Bringing accomplished chiefs and sheriffs from across the country to Owatonna gave us the opportunity to showcase the professionalism, dedication, and values that define our agency. It was especially meaningful to see our staff play a role in supporting a program that is shaping the next generation of executive leadership in law enforcement.”

The inaugural program brought together executives from Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.

18 Training Modules

The Five Star curriculum spans 18 comprehensive modules covering transformational leadership, policing in a changing society, global trends in law enforcement, data analytics, risk management, and strategic decision-making.

"The launch of the Five Star Chief Executive Institute marks a historic milestone for FBI-LEEDA," said Jacques S. Battiste, executive director of FBI-LEEDA. "This first-of-its-kind program builds directly on the success of our Trilogy series, offering Trilogy Award recipients the most advanced leadership training available to equip them for the complex challenges facing law enforcement executives today." 

Participants completed the program with strengthened strategic thinking abilities, enhanced leadership competencies, and a network of peers across multiple states dedicated to improving public safety leadership.