Mission

The Southern Police Institute is an integral part of the Department of Justice Administration in the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Louisville. It is an advanced educational and training institute whose mission is to enhance the professional development of law enforcement practitioners. Since the creation of the Southern Police Institute in 1951, its program of instruction has been based on the belief that law enforcement is a demanding activity requiring the highest level of professional preparation. The Administrative Officers Course has been offered continuously since 1951. Today, it is our primary leadership development program. It is designed to provide a comprehensive and challenging educational experience that is intended to enhance the professional and personal lives of our students.

The Administrative Officers Course is a twelve week, accredited college level educational program. The course curriculum is designed to develop informed, effective, ethically and technically competent law enforcement managers who are capable of assuming positions of leadership in their respective agencies. It is an appropriate course for individuals in or about to be promoted to middle and upper management positions. This comprehensive development program provides instruction in law enforcement issues, diagnostic problem solving, and administrative law. The varied methods of instruction used by the faculty permit participants to engage their individual creativity and initiative through the analytical examination of issues and problems faced by contemporary law enforcement executives. This course is required as a prerequisite for appointment to the position of police chief by many government jurisdictions throughout the United States. Numerous graduates of the Administrative Officers Course are among today's law enforcement leaders directing agencies throughout the United States and abroad.

Program Uniqueness

The Administrative Officers Course since its creation has attracted participants from law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, the Pacific Rim nations, and Europe. This agency diversity helps to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and fellowship in which participants have the opportunity to learn from and share ideas with individuals they might not meet during the normal course of their professional activities. This interchange enhances the participant's skills in the arts of cooperation, negotiation, compromise, and consensus. It ensures that class members will leave the Southern Police Institute with a network of institute graduates that will provide an outstanding resource from which they can seek assistance for organizational problems throughout their careers. In addition, the participants are exposed to a wide range of thought on the application of the programs subject matter by experienced administrators, educators, practitioners, and Administrative Officers Course graduates who visit regularly to lecture. The institutes comprehensive educational environment and world recognized methods of instruction encourage a commitment to learning and self-improvement long after the course is finished.

The Graduate's of this program will: 

• Possess the knowledge and skills required to manage and to direct the resources of a law enforcement agency;

• Be prepared to deal effectively with the complicated and important administrative issues confronting law enforcement managers;

• Possess an understanding of current law enforcement operational philosophy and practice;

• Possess an understanding of the contemporary legal responsibilities of law enforcement administrators;

• Be able to apply contemporary methods of problem identification, evaluation and solution; and

• Possess the knowledge and skill required to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement operations.

Administrative Course Program - Undergraduate Certification 15 Credit Hours

JA 383 Special Topics in Law Enforcement - This course will focus on police leadership development and issues relating to the creation of effective organizations.  The course readings will address leadership roles, practices, demand structures and current issues of accountability.

JA 471 Law Enforcement Administration - The focus of this course is the theory, practice and concepts associated with the administration of a law enforcement agency.  This course is approached from the perspective of the police executive and command staff.  Instruction includes contemporary practice, theory, administrative and leadership concepts.

JA 473 Legal Issues in Law Enforcement Administration - This course presents a detailed analysis of the legal issues facing law enforcement administrators in operational and personnel administration.  Its primary objective is to present sound legal policy, procedures, and practices to avoid agency and personal liability.  Specific importance is placed on the requirement imposed by federal legislation regulating agency personnel practices.

JA 477 Organizational Behavior in Law Enforcement - The course focus is the application of the principles of human behavioral management to law enforcement organizations.  Theory, practice and methods for addressing behavioral needs in organization are addressed.

JA 576 Managing Organizational Performance - This course is designed to help participants develop conceptual, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills required of strategic managers in contemporary law enforcement organizations.  Students’ participation and decisional practice in class discussions is based upon the analysis of Harvard University & Kennedy School of Government Organizational case studies. 

Administrative Course Program - Graduate Certificate 12 Credit Hours

JA 576 Managing Organizational Performance - This course presents an examination of factors that create effective and efficient organizations. Participants will develop conceptual, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills required of strategic managers in contemporary law enforcement organizations. Student participation and decisional practice in class discussions is based upon the analysis of Harvard University & Kennedy School of Government organizational case studies.

JA 612 Law Enforcement Administration - The focus of this course is the theory, practice and concepts associated with the administration of a law enforcement agency.  This course is approached from the perspective of the police executive and command staff.  Instruction includes contemporary practice, theory, administrative and leadership concepts.

JA 625 Legal Issues in Law Enforcement Administration - This course presents a detailed analysis of the legal issues facing law enforcement administrators in the delivery of operational services and personnel administration. Its primary objective is to assist the participants in their development of sound legal policy, procedures, and practices to avoid agency and personal liability. Specific importance is placed on the requirements imposed by federal legislation regulating agency personnel practices.

JA 665 Special Topics in Law Enforcement - This course will focus on organizational leadership and issues relating to the creation of effective police organizations. The course readings will address the leadership role and current issues in policing. Courses cross listed in both Graduate and Undergraduate certificate will impose a different level of course evaluation on students.