NCJ Number
202764
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 70 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 84,86,89,90
Date Published
October 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses a new Homeland Security Leadership Development program.
Abstract
The program is located at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), the military university in Monterey, CA. The recently opened Center for Homeland Defense and Security and the program are designed to sharpen the leadership skills of homeland security executives. The program’s first class comprised 14 professionals from departments of homeland security around the country as well as law enforcement, fire, emergency management, public health, and several branches of the military. This program is challenging because it is compressed into 18 months, whereas most postgraduate programs take at least 24 months to complete. The schooling includes 2 weeks in residence every quarter. Students complete the remainder of their work online. They will leave with a master’s degree in homeland security. They will be the policy makers of the future. Students learn about formulating and implementing policy, technology and its elements, gathering and using intelligence, and how to work with different agencies on the local, State, and Federal levels. They learn the concepts, theories, and models applicable to homeland security. Developing coalitions and organizational structures, building consensus, learning about world politics and governments, and studying the different types of terrorists and terrorism are also included in the program. A virtual city was created as part of the program. This city has a wealth of targets, such as an international airport and nuclear power plant. Students apply their knowledge to problems and incidents in this city. The program’s content is designed to be immediately applicable. It meets a real need -- that of helping State and local agencies prepare for weapons of mass destruction or terrorist incidents. A perfect student has qualities that include working in mid- to high-level management; seeks to improve his or her organization; is unhappy with “what is;” and is inquisitive.