DANVILLE — Police Chief Chris Yates completed The FBI Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Seminal (LEEDS) last month.
According to a release, the program included several training topics such as leadership development, community policing, strategic planning, resource allocation, physical and mental fitness as well as agency/community wellness to name a few. Yates trained and learned with chiefs, sheriffs, and senior police executives throughout the United States as well as from Thailand, Ukraine, Germany, Lithuania, Aruba, and other international law enforcement organizations.
“The training was excellent as were the relationships built,’’ Yates said in an official release. “I am consistently humbled by the intelligence and knowledge of those I meet who have chosen a life of service. Though we were from different communities, regions of the country, and even different continents, we shared many of the same challenges and duty to make improvements for our departments and those we have the honor to serve. I am very appreciative to have had the opportunity and to be selected by the FBI-Springfield Office to attend. The FBI NA Training Division staff did a great job in providing top level instructors”
Yates believes an important key to improve the professional standard of law enforcement is training and to experience different perspectives, philosophies, and approaches to service and development.
“The moment we stop moving forward is when we fall behind,’’ he said. “Regardless the profession, we can always be better, make fewer mistakes, and improve the condition for others as well as ourselves.”
The first phase of the program took place at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. while the second phase was in Williamsport, Va.