Policing's most senior leadership development course representing stage five of the police leadership programme.
The executive leaders programme (ELP) replaced the strategic command course in 2023 and is the most prestigious programme for executive leaders in policing. The ELP enables police officers and staff to develop towards becoming an executive leader in policing, in line with the leadership standards and relevant role profiles.
This 19-week programme offers support and learning to build your personal resilience, boost your confidence and enhance your capabilities through three comprehensive modules. These modules cover personal and inclusive leadership, organisational leadership and operational leadership. This ensures you gain a deep understanding of the key concepts, essential skills and practical experience needed for executive leadership roles.
The programme is a pre-requisite to executive roles for police officers and we also welcome police staff, police partners and international colleagues aspiring to executive roles.
What to expect
The programme delivers against a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop essential leadership skills at the executive level. This programme focuses on:
- ethical and inclusive leadership – cultivating a leadership style that values diversity and integrity
- business skills – enhancing your ability to manage and lead within complex organisational structures
- political acumen – building your understanding of the political landscape and how to navigate it effectively
- leadership of major policing issues – preparing you to tackle critical issues such as counterterrorism, child protection, and nationally significant events
The programme includes a blended mix of face-to-face sessions, guided online learning, a short professional placement, experiential learning in role, and working with an executive coach. This approach ensures you gain both practical and theoretical experience, making you well-equipped for future executive roles.
This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights from world-class experts in leadership, making it an ideal choice for those looking to advance their careers. You will benefit from:
- enhanced capabilities and increased confidence
- the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of world-class experts in leadership
- connections with peers and current executive leaders, helping you to expand your professional network
- experience a short placement with a partner organisation, providing a unique opportunity to reflect on a strategic partnership
- one-to-one executive coaching tailored to your specific needs and goals
- an optional pathway towards a recognised qualification
Go to 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, such as 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 |
Total programme duration: 19 weeks Residential training: 7 weeks Online/guided learning: 2 weeks Professional placement: 2 to 5 days |
| 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.
The application window for cohort five is open from Monday 1 June to Friday 31 July 2026.
Forces and organisations will be required to confirm to the College who they will be supporting to the development centre no later than Friday 11 September 2026.
Portfolio applicant guidance
Application documents
- Executive leaders programme – portfolio part one application form (cohort five)
- Executive leaders programme biographical data monitoring form (cohort five)
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
- for international candidates whose first language is not English, a language proficiency exercise will also be required
The national executive leaders development centre will take place at College of Policing, Harperley Hall from Wednesday 4 November to Sunday 15 November 2026, where endorsed applicants will be allocated to attend for three consecutive days during this time (these dates will be subject to change dependent on applicant numbers). Development centre dates will be confirmed the week commencing 28 September 2026. Anyone interested in attending cohort five should protect all the above dates until confirmation is received.
Cohort five (2027) programme dates
Full attendance is a requirement to successfully complete the programme.
The induction day for cohort five will take place on Tuesday 19 January 2027, from 10am to 3:30pm at Ryton. An online induction will be provided for international delegates who cannot travel to Ryton.
Module one – personal and inclusive leadership
- Monday 22 February to Friday 5 March 2027 (two weeks).
- Residential at Ryton.
- No hybrid options available.
Guided learning week
- Monday 8 March to Friday 12 March 2027.
- Remote and online learning.
Professional placement
- Two to five days with a partner organisation.
- Scheduled for week commencing Monday 15 March 2027 (but can take place between 15 March and 2 April 2027).
Note: there is a two-week gap between the end of the placement week and the start of module three because of the Easter holiday period.
Module two – organisational leadership
- Monday 5 April to Thursday 23 April 2027 (three weeks).
- Residential at Ryton.
- Hybrid options available as reasonable adjustments.
Guided learning week
- Monday 26 April to Friday 30 April 2027.
In-force leadership development (seven weeks)
- Return to role in organisation.
- Completion of assessed business improvement assignment.
- Preparation of a presentation to be delivered in module three.
Module three – operational leadership
- Delegates are expected to be fully engaged with programme delivery during this time.
- Monday 21 June to Friday 2 July 2027 (two weeks).
- Residential at Ryton.
- No hybrid options available.