Thirty-five professionals completed the inaugural National Capital Region (NCR) Public Safety Leadership Seminar last month, further equipping leaders in public service with the skills and strategies to build collaboration and coordination among the region’s local, state, and federal partners.

Participants represented 23 agencies across eight local jurisdictions and five federal, state, and regional partners. Bringing perspectives from several disciplines, including law enforcement, public health, public information, emergency management, human services, and more, the program’s inaugural cohort gained a deeper understanding of how agencies throughout the region work together to best serve residents of metropolitan Washington.

The seminar, led by instructor Dave Mather and composed of three week-long sessions held at COG headquarters, applied West Point Model leadership principles to enhance motivation, satisfaction, and performance among public safety professionals. Mather pulled from his own 25-year career as a police commander, and over 30 years in organizational and educational leadership, to connect with participants and build relevant, impactful course material.

Participants discussed real-life scenarios, and shared their own experiences, to learn how to better develop themselves as leaders, support high-functioning teams, and understand the tools and objectives of leadership within an organization.

“The COG Leadership seminar is one of the best leadership-involved seminars I have ever been part of. Dave is a tremendous instructor. I find his delivery and presentation to be exhilarating, resourceful, knowledgeable, and interactive. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this program,” said Lieutenant Michael Byrd of the United States Capitol Police.

Course material was developed to cover topics specific to the NCR. Metropolitan Washington’s unique position as the seat of our nation’s government brings increased importance to close collaboration and communication between several entities during any given emergency. With a network of strong leaders positioned throughout the region, public safety agencies are better equipped to disseminate critical information to the public, respond efficiently and effectively to a crisis, and work in unison with partners throughout the region to meet the needs of the public.

All public safety personnel with a leadership component in their professional responsibilities were eligible to apply.

In a post-seminar survey, 100 percent of participants said the course provided them with the knowledge and tools necessary to facilitate regional collaboration.

The course also provided a space for peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, allowing participants to build connections and gain a deeper understanding of how the region comes together to serve the residents of metropolitan Washington.

“I have enjoyed this program so much. It is very enlightening and gave a broader insight into what we experience and better ways to maneuver through obstacles daily,” said Bianca Bennett, District of Columbia Office of Unified Communications.

COG continues to work closely with partners in the region to provide additional opportunities for professional and organizational leadership development.

To learn more, visit the seminar program page.