Training Courses

New Sergeants Program: Mastering Leadership in Law Enforcement – 5 Day – Bellingham PD

Date & Time:
  • September 28, 2026 – October 2, 2026 - 8:30 AM–2:30 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Location:
30 Blackstone Street, Bellingham, MA
Agency:
Municipal Police Institute

Course Facts

Instructors: Alfred P. Donovan, APD Management

Dates: September 28, 2026 - October 2, 2026

Location: Bellingham Police Department

Time: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

Price: $699.00 USD

Course Overview

This intensive five-day sergeants training program develops the leadership competencies and supervisory skills that new sergeants need to manage performance, maintain accountability, and build community confidence. Participants will explore essential topics including performance management, procedural justice, employee rights, supervisory liability, complaint handling, ethical decision-making, suicide prevention and intervention, and use of force reviews. The program combines interactive instruction with practical strategies to help supervisors navigate contemporary law enforcement challenges while meeting Massachusetts Police Reform requirements and accreditation standards.

Program Topics

Day 1

  • Performance Management and Accountability (3 hours) - Tools for guiding officers toward greater ownership, effectiveness and productivity through coaching, directing, delegation, assistance, and accountability measures.
  • Documenting, Recording and Correcting Employee Behavior (2 hours) - Duties and responsibilities of police sergeants, holding subordinates accountable, coaching in the right direction, and setting clear expectations.

Day 2

  • Procedural Justice, Cooperation and Police Legitimacy (3 hours) - The role of police response and public cooperation in building organizational support, instilling service orientation, and enforcing procedural justice and community policing philosophy.
  • Employee Rights vs. Supervisory Functions and Responsibilities (2 hours) - Review of employee rights in supervisory situations, Weingarten Rights, and employee protections when suspected of criminal conduct.

Day 3

  • Supervision Liability (3 hours) - Circumstances where claims or verdicts have been upheld against supervisors, including deliberate indifference and failure to stop unconstitutional acts.
  • The Duty to Intervene and Report under the Massachusetts Police Reform Law (2 hours) - Full discussion and explanation of statutory duties.

Day 4

  • Complaint Investigations as they Relate to Supervisors (3 hours) - Information and training on accreditation standards and police reform mandates requiring supervisors to investigate and handle minor complaints, including basic IA investigative skills and guidelines.
  • Ethical Decision Making in Difficult Situations (2 hours) - Realistic ethical challenges in law enforcement such as detail fraud, double dipping, time theft, minor conflict of interest violations, and abuses of the badge.

Day 5

  • Prevention, Intervention and Post-Vention (PIP) (3 hours) - Three-pronged focus on suicide prevention, intervention, and post-vention strategies. Suicide prevention certificate will be issued.
  • Basic Use of Force Investigations for Supervisors (2 hours) - Overview of Massachusetts CMR use of force requirements and supervisor review procedures for use of force incidents.

Additional Information

This course has been approved as an 'Accepted Training' to earn 'Educational and Experience Points' under Civil Service guidelines for Promotional Examinations in the Titles of Sergeant and Lieutenant.