National Public Safety Innovation Academy invites media to experience newest command school

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 10 a.m., Sheriff Grady Judd and Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti will discuss the newest national law enforcement and corrections command school, the National Public Safety Innovation Academy (NIA). The news conference will be held in Classroom 145 at the Polk State College Center for Public Safety (1251 Jim Keene Blvd.) in Winter Haven. There will also be availability to hear from one of the command school participants and record the cohort during classroom instruction and during hands-on drone instruction.

NIA is an eight-week executive-level course where law enforcement and corrections leaders learn from renowned subject matter experts about effective leadership in today’s environment and cutting-edge technology trends and receive hands-on training. NIA gives law enforcement and corrections staff the tools they need to advance and become effective leaders in administrative positions by equipping them with the knowledge to inspire others, transform their organizations, and deliver results.

NIA is one of only three law enforcement and corrections command schools in the nation.

The rigorous STEM-based curriculum examines contemporary issues, explores future trends in public safety and criminal justice, and provides participants with skills and knowledge to craft innovative policies and procedures to address and direct high-liability situations that agencies encounter in today’s climate. STEM-based curriculum is a science, technology, engineering, and math approach with a focus on hands-on, problem-based learning.

The inaugural class is comprised of 21 law enforcement and corrections leaders from Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Michigan, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Florida. The current cohort began on January 16, 2023, and will conclude on March 10. After successfully completing a Capstone Experience, where participants will apply what they have learned during the course, students will earn up to 12 college credits and those who possess an associate degree or greater will be eligible for Public Safety Advanced Technical Certificate.

“Servant leadership begins with a personal commitment from every criminal justice executive. We are living in a time when being a good cop and a good boss isn’t enough. We are seeing trends in technology that surpass traditional policing; we are seeing community needs that mirror those expressed nationally. We must always remember we took this job to be of service to our organizations, and to our communities. In his 1985 inaugural address, President Ronald Reagan asked the question, ‘If not us, then who—if not now, when?’ The training NIA offers will help criminal justice executives answer that question ‘It is me. It is now.’” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

“Polk State College is proud to work in collaboration with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to provide highly-sought, world-class training for public safety professionals across the country. One of my greatest honors as president is to serve alongside our sheriff, Sheriff Grady Judd. I am grateful for his vision, for the academy, and for all our staff who worked to bring this to fruition.” – Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti, Polk State College President

If you plan to attend the news conference, please RSVP by emailing manautoua@polksheriff.org or calling 863.370.0040.