CDCR, POST partners for Command College
CDCR and the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) have partnered to provide opportunities to send CDCR staff to POST Law Enforcement Command College (LECC). In June, the first two staff graduated from the program:
- Chief Deputy Warden (A) Nathan Gaughan, California Men’s Colony
- Special Agent Lucas Abarca, Office of Internal Affairs
The LECC is a 14-month program designed to prepare today’s law enforcement leaders for tomorrow’s challenges. For participants, it’s a dynamic learning experience that often leads to profound worldview changes. The learning experience allows for networking with other law enforcement agencies, while enabling participants to address contemporary issues. Participants attend several weeks of pre-scheduled in-person instruction in San Diego, then are responsible for completing various assignments and tasks.
The completion of LECC is significant and considered to be a tremendous milestone for California law enforcement leaders.
Program broadens participants’ views
“Command College has been the most enriching and rewarding learning experience I have ever had the privilege to participate in. This is a world-class graduate-level program that focuses on future forecasting and innovation,” said Chief Deputy Warden Gaughan. “Command College permanently changed the way I view and approach issues in my professional career and personal life. There is no better program available to develop the leaders of CDCR for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.”
The primary goal of LECC is to provide law enforcement leaders a course featuring speakers and instructors who are leaders in:
- forecasting
- innovation
- economics
- media relations
- political science
- organizational leadership
The program is presented at a master’s degree level, based on student-centered adult learning theories.
Accountability and responsibility
“Command College was an eye opening experience, at the beginning of the course, it seemed like an exercise in preparing for unlikely events. However, the curriculum and instruction highlighted the signals of change which are ever present around us, the required coursework revealed how to best prepare for and address all types of challenges. Within the past year, changes to the law enforcement profession and society as a whole, highlighted the need for this program within CDCR,” said Special agent Abarca. “Command College required a significant commitment to complete the assignments, but was worth all of the effort. I was fortunate my chain of command, co-workers, and team members filled in when I was either away for the training or working on the most challenging assignments.”
CDCR values the growth and development of staff and this training opportunity is another example. The program is part of CDCR’s focus on leadership, staff development and upward mobility. The LECC will better prepare CDCR leaders and foster the innovative mindset required to effect meaningful change within the organization while maintaining alignment with law enforcements best practices and trends.
Lieutenant rank or above, may consider notifying your chain of command for possible nomination and enrollment into this training opportunity.
Learn more:
Story by Lt. Jeremy Brown, Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development, Advanced Learning Institute.y
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