Policing's most senior leadership development course. This replaces the strategic command course (SCC).
The police leadership programme – stage 5 (executive leaders) is an executive leadership development programme aimed at enabling police officers and staff to develop towards becoming an executive leader in policing, in line with the leadership standards and relevant role profiles.
The programme is a pre-requisite to executive roles for police officers. We also welcome delegates from policing partner organisations and those from international policing organisations.
Cohort three
Review
Chief Constable Steve Watson, in his capacity as service director, oversaw a review of the design, delivery and assessment for cohort three and beyond. The recommendations from this review have now been agreed with the service and these will used to inform the design and delivery of the programme for cohort three and beyond.
What to expect
Following the development centre, the Programme includes elements of personal, organisational and operational leadership at the executive level. It focuses on developing:
- ethical and inclusive leadership
- business skills
- political acumen
- leadership of major policing issues, such as counter terrorism, child protection and nationally significant events
The programme includes a blended mix of face-to-face, guided learning (online), a short professional placement, experiential learning in role and work with an executive coach. See our upcoming programme dates.
| Prerequisites |
This programme is suitable for police officers and staff. Police officers who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for substantive appointment to an executive police officer role, i.e. assistant chief constable and above. Staff who successfully complete the programme will not be eligible for substantive appointment to an executive police officer role. You can apply if you are:
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|---|---|
| Duration |
19 weeks |
| Accreditation |
No
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| Course contact |
Applications
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| Additional documents |
Application process
You need to develop a portfolio of evidence in order to apply for the programme. The portfolio should demonstrate your readiness for the next stage of your professional development towards executive leadership.
Application documents
Guidance and a portfolio template for applying for cohort 3 are available between 28 June and 20 September 2024. Individual forces/organisations are responsible for setting their local application deadlines and portfolio assessment boards within this timeframe.
- Police leadership programme – stage 5 portfolio application form
- Police leadership programme – stage 5 portfolio guidance
Police leadership programme – stage 5 biographical data monitoring form
Programme requirements
For aspiring executive leaders from UK police forces and organisations (both police officers and police staff), entry onto the programme requires:
- successfully meeting the national portfolio assessment standard and being endorsed by your Chief Constable (or equivalent) through the local portfolio assessment process to attend the national executive leaders development centre. You are responsible for identifying the local application and portfolio assessment board dates within your force/organisation
- successfully completing the national development centre and achieving the national standard for entry onto the programme
For international candidates and partner organisations, entry onto the programme requires:
- completion of the portfolio of evidence demonstrating your readiness to progress onto the executive leadership programme
- successfully meeting the local requirements of your organisation and being endorsed by your chief constable (or equivalent) to attend the College assessment for entry onto the programme
- successfully demonstrating the evidence of your senior leadership skills and experience at an assessment interview with the cohort director and a College of Policing assessor
The deadline for notification to the College of endorsed applicants for cohort 3 from all UK policing, international and partner organisations is 30 September 2024.
The national executive leaders development centre will take place at College of Policing, Harperley Hall between 22 to 30 November and 6 to 8 December 2024 where endorsed applicants will be allocated to attend for 3 consecutive days during this time (these dates will be subject to change dependent on applicant numbers). Development centre dates will be confirmed week commencing 14 October 2024. Anyone interested in attending cohort 3 should protect all the above dates until confirmation is received.
Programme dates
Full attendance is a requirement to successfully complete the programme.
Module one – personal and inclusive leadership
- Monday 24 February to Friday 7 March 2025 (two weeks)
- Residential at Ryton
- No hybrid options available
Guided learning week
- Monday 10 to Friday 14 March 2025
- Remote/online learning
Module two – organisational leadership
- Monday 17 March to Friday 4 April 2025 (three weeks)
- Residential at Ryton
- Hybrid options available as reasonable adjustments
Guided learning week
- Monday 7 to Friday 11 April 2025
Personal leadership assignment
- Completion of an assessed personal leadership assignment
Professional placement
- 2 to 5 days with a partner organisation
- Scheduled for week commencing Monday 14 April 2025 (but can take place between Monday 14 April and 15 May 2025)
In-force leadership development (nine weeks)
- Return to role in organisation
- Completion of assessed business improvement assignment
- Preparation of a presentation to be deliver in module three
Module three – operational leadership
- Delegated are expected to be fully engaged with programme delivery during this time
- Monday 23 June to Friday 4 July 2025 (two weeks)
- Residential at Ryton
- No hybrid options available