Columbus Technical College Police Chief Tom Barnes attended the Chief Executive Training Class for newly appointed chiefs of police and heads of law enforcement agencies at the Dr. Curtis E. McClung Training Center in Duluth, GA., from September 21^st through September 30^th, 2015.

The 60-hour course, administered and provided by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP), is required by state law for all newly appointed heads of law enforcement agencies. 

The curriculum is designed to give newly appointed law enforcement administrators and command staff personnel training on police management, as well as inform them of laws and policies affecting their departments.  Topics covered in the course include: Managerial Liability and E.E.O.C. Laws, Police Manpower Allocation & Staffing, Community Policing, Budget Administration, Political & Practical Realities, Risk Management, Evolution of Ethics, Media Relations, Departmental Organization, Employee Selection Process, Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Overview, Promotional Systems, United States Department of Justice Programs, Leadership/Management Role of the Chief, Employee Performance & Employee Discipline, Legislative Process, Social Media for Law Enforcement Leaders, and other timely topics.

“Attending the GACP Chief Executives Training course has provided me with the knowledge and skillset to be a more effective leader for our department,” said Columbus Technical College Police Chief Tom Barnes. “My philosophy has and always will be one of taking care of and treating the officers I work with the utmost respect and professionalism. In turn I hold them to this same high standard when dealing with those they come in contact with during the course of their day.”

"The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police is pleased to provide executive level training for the professional development of Georgia’s new law enforcement leaders.” said GACP President George Turner of the Atlanta Police Department. 

Chief Barnes was among 50 law enforcement administrators attending the course.  The GACP provides the executive training for newly appointed heads of law enforcement agencies and command staff personnel twice a year, along with several other training programs throughout the state.  It is the largest professional association for law enforcement administrators in Georgia, and one of the largest in the country.  The membership of over 1,700 includes executives representing municipal and county law enforcement agencies, college and university police departments, corporate and private security firms, and numerous state and federal agencies.