Association News

For the second consecutive year, Florida State University (FSU) hosted the IACLEA Executive Development Institute (EDI), which took place February 25–28. The venue for the annual leadership institute shifts west, as EDI 2020 will take place in March in Nevada. EDI is a unique leadership course that focuses on the campus environment and is designed to train current, newly appointed, and up-and-coming campus police and public safety executives on leadership development.

“Kudos to Chief [David] Perry and the team at FSU, as well as the folks at IACLEA. Look forward to sending more of our team in future years,” said one EDI 2019 participant.

Attendees at EDI 2019 were a diverse group that represented 21 US states and one Canadian province. Texas and Florida were the states most represented, sending six participants each. Another participant noted EDI was a “great course. Great time collaborating with counterparts from around the country.” This observation illustrates one of EDI’s strongest values: collaboration with peers who may come with different perspectives based on their geographic location.

Prior to arriving for EDI, attendees completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator survey. Regina Romero, Ph.D., incorporated the results in the opening-day session that explored strengths and potential pitfalls in the context of leadership and learning.  Day two featured University of Washington – Seattle Chief of Police John Vinson, Ph.D., who presented key elements necessary to be a successful leader and strategies to facilitate change. On the third day, EDI host Chief David Perry, FSU Police Department, presented on best practices for managing generational differences in the workplace, as well as lessons learned from an active shooter event that took place at FSU in 2014. Day four saw a discussion on leadership and customer service led by Chief Perry. It concluded with a panel discussion on managing a crisis featuring Pedro Guzman, DEA; Chief Christopher Summers, Leon County Sheriff’s Office; and Curtis Sommerhoff, FSU emergency manager.

Networking did not stop when the class ended each day. Optional evening events gave participants time to connect with each other more informally. These events included the basketball game between FSU and Notre Dame, a tour of the FSU athletic center, and a tour of the campus and surrounding area.

The feedback on EDI 2019 has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The topics/instructors were outstanding. I have been in a leadership position since 1992, and I thought, pound for pound, this was one of the most valuable courses I have attended.” – EDI 2019 participant

Plans for EDI 2020 are already in the works, so save the date: March 23–26, 2020, in Nevada. Plan to attend yourself or send a staff member to this valuable training. 

Thank you to everyone who made EDI 2019 a success, especially Chief Perry and his dedicated staff at the FSU Police Department. A special thank you and congratulations to all of the EDI 2019 graduates. And we offer huge appreciation to our sponsor for EDI, IACLEA Corporate Partner Allied Universal.