A Longport police sergeant recently was among 72 men and women who graduated from the Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar program.
MALEEDS, one of 26 FBI LEEDS regional command colleges, is a selective program that provides insight into some of the many challenges facing police executives.
Participation is by invitation-only and is awarded through an exceptionally competitive application process.
Class size is limited to maximize the interaction between instructors and attendees.
Officers from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania graduated from the program June 14 held in Princeton.
MALEEDS has conducted its annual training program since 1993 and is recognized as one of the premier leadership training programs in the nation. It is designed to provide law enforcement leaders with the training they need to perform in executive positions.
“While we pride ourselves on our high-level educational program, the MALEEDS Executive Board also provides nightly networking opportunities to continue the learning experience outside of the classroom and encourages our attendees to foster relationships that will allow them to better themselves and their agencies,” President Chuck Davall Jr. said in a statement.
Burgan called the program and its engaging lectures and interactive sessions “transformative.”
“(It) was a transformative experience that reinforced the vital importance of strong leadership, clear communication, and building meaningful relationships in modern law enforcement,” Burgan said. “I gained fresh perspectives on how to effectively lead and communicate with my team, as well as establish and nurture productive partnerships with fellow law enforcement professionals. These skills will be instrumental in my continued effort to serve and protect our community by building trust and cooperation across different agencies and stakeholders.”
“Sgt. Ray Burgan’s participation in this course reflects the commitment to professional development and our department’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of service and leadership,” Longport Police Chief Frank Culmone said. “We are confident that the knowledge and skills gained from this training and the network of professionals that attended with him, before and after him, will greatly benefit our team and enhance our community policing efforts.”
The program is sponsored by the Newark, New York, and Philadelphia divisions of the FBI and includes training provided by active and retired law enforcement officers from around the region.
Graduates become members of the larger FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association organization, which offers additional leadership training throughout the year and its annual training conference each spring.
