Policing's most senior leadership development course representing stage 5 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
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 |
Total programme duration: 19 weeks Residential training: 7 weeks Online/guided learning: 2 weeks Professional placement: 2–5 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 to apply for cohort 4 will be open between 1 June and 31 July.
Forces/organisations will be required to confirm to the College who they will be supporting to the development centre no later than Thursday 12 September.
Portfolio applicant guidance
Application documents
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 between 3 to 16 November 2025 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 29 September 2025. Anyone interested in attending cohort 4 should protect all the above dates until confirmation is received.
Cohort 4 (2026) programme dates
Full attendance is a requirement to successfully complete the programme.
Module one – personal and inclusive leadership
- Monday 23 February to Friday 6 March 2026 (two weeks)
- Residential at Ryton
- No hybrid options available
Guided learning week
- Monday 9 to Friday 13 March 2026
- Remote/online learning
Module two – organisational leadership
- Monday 16 March to Friday 3 April 2026 (three weeks)
- Residential at Ryton
- Hybrid options available as reasonable adjustments
Guided learning week
- Monday 20 to Friday 24 April 2026
Note: there is a two week gap between the end of the delivered module and the guided learning week due to the Easter holiday period.
Professional placement
- 2 to 5 days with a partner organisation
- Scheduled for week commencing Monday 27 April 2026 (but can take place between Monday 27 April and 29 May 2026)
In-force leadership development (eight 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
- Delegates are expected to be fully engaged with programme delivery during this time
- Monday 29 June to Friday 10 July 2026 (two weeks)
- Residential at Ryton
- No hybrid options available