The comprehensive Leadership Certificate Program offered by APCO Institute is a 12-month online program that leads to the professional designation of Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL). RPL recipients receive a certificate of acceptance into the APCO Institute Registry of Public Safety Leaders, a prestigious acknowledgement of excellence within our industry.

We asked several people who have earned the designation of Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) what the professional designation means to them and how it has helped with their career. Our Q & As with Ron Gross, administrative and training manager for the North Suburban Emergency Communications Center in Des Plaines, Ill., and Shelley Peterson, 9-1-1 communications coordinator for Logan City (Utah) Police Department, are below.

PSC: How long have you been an RPL, and how has the information you learned in the program helped with your career?

Ron Gross

Ron Gross: I have been an RPL since 2008. Every aspect of the program provided new information or a different perspective on existing information and networking with my peers from around the country. Most importantly, it made me take a long hard look at myself as a leader. Not just a boss, but a leader, understanding the differences. There truly is a difference.

The program made me look at myself from the inside out and examine whether or not I was being the kind of leader that made people want to follow. Some of the things I became aware of inspired me to become a better mentor, communicator and thinker. I am more informed on the best ways to manage projects, set benchmarks and measure progress, and the importance of establishing and communicating a vision for the organization.

The program also inspired me to become more involved in my state chapter of APCO, serving on state EMD and TERT training committees and assisting with the APCO Communications Center Supervisor Course rewrite. Lastly, the program helped me realize the importance of continuing education both professionally and academically.

I’ll be completing my undergraduate degree in psychology in 2013, and I will pursue graduate degrees to become a counselor specializing in post-traumatic stress, donating some of my time to public safety personnel.

PSC: A year-long program can be strenuous, what suggestions would you offer future students?

Gross: The best advice I can give is, don’t underestimate the amount of time and work that will be required. More importantly, you must be fully committed to putting your heart and soul into completing the assignments. If you are not fully committed to the program you will fall behind very quickly. Take the time to read and comment on your classmates posts because I found the diverse perspectives very informative.

PSC: Which course in the program was your favorite and why?

Gross: Communicating with Authority is at the heart of leadership and is the core skill that determines the direction of any organization and ties all other skills together.

PSC: What does it mean to you to hold the highest designation that APCO offers?

Gross: It demonstrates my ongoing commitment to excellence and being the best of the best.

PSC: How long have you been an RPL, and how has the information you learned in the program helped with your career?

Shelley Peterson

Shelley Peterson: I took the RPL course during 2011 and officially became an RPL in January 2012. The information covered in the program has been valuable since the very beginning and continues to be beneficial in many areas. I believe that I have improved my communication, teamwork and leadership skills since taking the course. Also, many of the assignments from the coursework resulted in useful items for my department, such as updated employee evaluation forms and self assessments.

PSC: A year-long program can be strenuous, what suggestions would you offer future students?

Peterson: The time commitment for the course felt considerable some weeks, but was completely worthwhile. The flexibility of having a week to complete the assignments allowed for ample opportunity to get them done. Also, the weeklong breaks between courses and around certain holidays helped keep away feelings of burnout.

PSC: Which course in the program was your favorite and why?

Peterson: My favorite course in the RPL program was Leadership Skills for Managers. The course was packed with a lot of good information on basic leadership skills, then specifically covered what being a good leader in the 9-1-1 profession is. I have attended many good training sessions for leadership in law enforcement, but really liked the focus specific to 9-1-1 that the RPL course covered.

PSC: What does it mean to you to hold the highest designation that APCO offers?

Peterson: I am very proud to be an APCO RPL. I look forward to continued involvement with APCO and will use the skills and knowledge I gained from the course for years to come.

This is article is being published online in advance of publication in the December 2012 issue of Public Safety Communications.