Public Safety Leadership Development
The Public Safety Leadership Development (PSLD) Program empowers leaders within the public safety sector. Crafted with insights and experience from Daniels faculty and seasoned public safety officials, this program serves as a catalyst for personal and professional growth, equipping participants with the tools, knowledge, and strategies essential for navigating the complexities of today’s police, fire, emergency, and communication services landscapes.
Workshop Snapshot
Date
UPCOMING SESSION: July 29-31, 2024 | Three-day retreat
August 21-22, 2024 | Session & graduation at DU
NEXT SESSION: October 7-9, 2024 | Three-day retreat November 13 & 14, 2024 | Session & graduation at DU
WINTER SESSION: February 10-12, 2025 | Three-day retreat March 18-19, 2025 | Session & graduation at DU
SESSION FOR SENIOR LEADERS:
January 27-29, 2025 | Three-day retreat
March 5-6, 2025 | Session & graduation at DU
(Participation limited to those in first or second command of their agencies. Inquire for more information)
Format
Cost
$2,880 per participant
Scholarships
In conjunction with POST, there are opportunities for sworn peace officers to attend through the use of a full-tuition grant. Priority is given to small and rural agencies, and grants are limited. Please contact us using the “Request More Information” form for more information.
REQUEST MORE INFORMATION
PSLD History & Impact
PSLD was developed in 2008 by Kerry Plemmons, University of Denver faculty and entrepreneur, and George Heinrichs, co-founder of Intrado, and former sheriff’s deputy for the Arapahoe Police Department.
They created the program in response to internal communication challenges realized by public safety officials in the wake of mass shootings at Columbine High School and an Aurora movie theater. Through PSLD, Heinrichs and Plemmons wanted to bring together a diverse cross-section of first responders- people who may have not been formally trained in interpersonal relationships, and provide training, resources, and education to enhance their self-awareness, leadership, and communication skills.
By prioritizing improved communication within the public safety sector, PSLD continues to foster a more collaborative industry, better equipped to serve and protect Colorado communities while honoring the memories of those impacted by past tragedies.
What began as a response to tragedy has grown into a remarkable opportunity for the public safety sector. Since 2008, more than 1,600 public first responders have graduated from this transformational program, and demand has continued to increase as the importance of leadership development in this industry grows. PSLD is now offered four times each year and sessions regularly fill up a year in advance. Generous grants and support from Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) continue to make it possible for sworn leaders from smaller, rural agencies to send their staff at little or no cost. Additional funding opportunities exist through the CREATE grant, provided by the Colorado Rural Health Center.
Through interactive activities and research backed-curriculum, PSLD equips public safety officials with leadership and communication skills to build stronger relationships in the office, in the field and in their personal lives. The experience they bring back to their communities makes for healthier and more effective teams, divisions, and agencies. PSLD gives first responders the necessary tools, experiences, and environment to become more confident, transparent, and empathetic public servants, leaders, and team members.
The PSLD Experience
Through a carefully curated curriculum, first responders and public safety personnel embark on a transformative journey.
The program begins with a two-night, three-day retreat at The Nature Place just outside the Pike National Forest near Florissant, CO. Participants engage in hands-on activities, reflective exercises, and interactive discussions aimed at cultivating personal growth, building high performing teams, and planning for successful leadership transitions. Using the Insights Discovery personality assessment, they learn to harness the unique strengths of their teams, navigate complex organizational dynamics, and lead with authenticity and resilience in an ever-evolving landscape. Lodging and meals at The Nature Place are included in the program fee.
Approximately one month later, participants attend a two-day session at the University of Denver. They reflect on their personal growth since the retreat and share how they have applied their learning. Then, they delve into topics such as negotiation tactics, navigating change effectively, designing a positive work culture, leading with influence, and promoting mental wellness within their organizations. Supervisors and family members are invited to the program graduation at the end of the final day of learning, and lunch and parking are both included in the program fee.
This program is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about empowering leaders to drive meaningful change, inspire and connect with others, and shape the future of public safety leadership.
Program Benefits
Led by experienced business school faculty and public safety leaders, participants in this program gain:
- Access to some of the world’s best resources in business education and leadership development
- Increased visibility into areas of personal strength and insight into potential areas for growth
- Tools to develop and maintain stronger peer relationships and information to help with current challenges
- Education to improve team organizational performance
- Exposure to best practices in a variety of subject matter areas to improve business and operational skills, mental health and resiliency, and group dynamics
Register for an Upcoming Program
SUMMER 2024
July 29-31, 2024
Three-day retreat
August 21-22, 2024
Session & graduation at DU
FALL 2024
October 7-9, 2024
Three-day retreat
November 13 & 14, 2024
Session & graduation at DU
WINTER 2025
Winter Session
February 10-12, 2025 (TNP)
March 18-19, 2025 (DU)
Senior Leader Session
January 27-29, 2025 (TNP)
March 5-6, 2025 (DU)
*Participation limited to those in first or second command of their agencies. Inquire for more information.
Senior Leader Cohort Cost: $3,800
SPRING 2025
April, 2025
Three-day retreat
May, 2025
Session & graduation at DU
Limited availability – please contact us to complete your registration.
Key Faculty
Kerry Plemmons
Kerry Plemmons has more than 30 years of entrepreneurial experience with success in launching and running small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. and Mexico. He joined the Daniels faculty full time in 2004.
Brandon Daruna
Brandon Daruna is the Chief Executive Officer of Eagle County Paramedic Services and a 20-year EMS veteran. Brandon holds an EMBA from the University of Denver and is a certified Insights Discovery® Practitioner.
Cassidee Carlson
Former Division Chief Cassidee Carlson has an extensive background in policing and leadership, and she recently retired from the Aurora, Colorado, Police Department after 20 years of dedicated service.
Pieter Van Ry
With 25 years of experience in the civil engineering field, Pieter Van Ry has held leadership positions in public utilities including South Platte Renew and the City of Englewood. He received his EMBA from Daniels in 2019.
More Details
Program Overview
The Daniels College of Business Public Safety Leadership Development program combines world-class faculty with personal assessments, leadership exercises, analytical assignments and challenging activities to provide a life-changing experience for public safety emerging leaders.
Over the course of this five-day program, participants gain insight into their personal leadership and communication style, their capabilities and their strengths and challenges. This insight helps them better understand their direct reports, and it provides the foundation for stronger and more effective teams, divisions and entire agencies.
Collaboratively built and fine-tuned by input from multiple agencies, more than 1,195 leaders have completed the program since its start in 2008.
The Public Safety Leadership Development program is reviewed and approved by the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Office. There are funding options available for small and remote agencies.
Who Should Attend
Leaders in police, fire, emergency response and emergency communications with any number of direct reports are eligible to attend. The program is open to both sworn and non-sworn participants. Past participants include:
- High potential leaders looking to improve their leadership capacity
- Leaders looking to build a foundation for effective leadership
- Leaders of all experience levels looking to network and learn from others in the Public Safety space
Program Structure
The Public Safety Leadership Development program compresses the very best content and resources into five days of learning.
Participants start the program at a three-day retreat held at The Nature Place, a mountain conference center located one hour west of Colorado Springs. Removed from their day to day lives, leaders are fully immersed in the program.
The next session includes both individual classroom participation and group/team work. Assignments are strategically spaced to allow participants to apply what they have learned and to return to the program with stories of success and questions to ponder, further customizing the program as it progresses.
Supervisors and leadership teams join the culminating a graduation ceremony on the last day.
Sample Schedule
Day 1 – 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Nature Place
Day 2 – 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Nature Place
Day 3 – 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Nature Place
Day 4 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at DU
Day 5 – 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at DU
Program Fees
There is a program fee of $2,800 per participant to attend the Public Safety Leadership Development Program. This fee includes:
- All program materials and instruction
- Lodging for two nights at The Nature Place retreat center – single occupancy
- Meals while at The Nature Place retreat center:
- Lunch and dinner on day #1
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on day #2
- Breakfast and lunch on day #3
- Lunch while at the University of Denver
Transportation to and from the program is at your own expense.
Scholarship Opportunities
In conjunction with POST there are opportunities for sworn peace officers to attend through the use of a full-tuition grant. Priority is given to small and rural agencies, and grants are limited. This program is POST reviewed. Participants interested in pursuing grant funding should contact Kimberly Hernandez at Kimberly.Hernandez@coag.gov for more information.
There may be other funding opportunities available. For more information, contact Janet Redwine at Janet.Redwine@du.edu.