National Public Safety Innovation Academy

Take the Next Step

The National Public Safety Innovation Academy (NIA) is an eight-week executive-level academy for law enforcement and corrections staff seeking to enter or enhance current or future command positions within their agencies.

NIA will give mid-level managers and future agency leaders the training to advance and become effective leaders in administrative positions. The training will not only benefit participants, but also their agencies and communities as they learn from renowned presenters and subject matter experts about effective leadership in today’s environment.

As technology and trends change, the course will evolve to meet the needs and address the challenges faced in the ever-changing world of public safety and criminal justice. Conveniently located near Interstate 4 in Polk County, Florida, NIA offers public safety and criminal justice leaders an affordable and innovative alternative to traditional leadership training.

Earning up to 12 college credits, participants will strengthen their expertise by attending classes at the state-of-the-art 101,450-square-foot Polk State Center for Public Safety in Winter Haven. They will also enjoy comfortable housing at the family-friendly all-inclusive Cabana Cottages in Auburndale, which features a business center, two swimming pools, laundry facility, and gym. Cabana Cottages was recognized as USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2022.

Participants who possess an associate degree or greater will be eligible for Public Safety Advanced Technical Certification. For participants already certified in the state of Florida, this course offers eligibility for Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Mandatory Retraining Elective Requirements.

  1. How to Register and What to Expect

    Tuition and fees are highly competitive and more affordable than similar programs throughout the country. The course is $3,500.

    The rigorous 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.

    Participants will take part in a functional fitness program, led by Auburndale-based fitness center, Ultra Fit, which includes weekly physical training, and learn how to design and implement positive behavioral and lifestyle changes for personal growth, health, and wellbeing. Participants will also have partial access to Ultra Fit facilities and equipment with the opportunity to purchase additional access or services.

  2. Class Schedule

    Classes are from Monday through Friday, beginning on Sept. 18. Participants will apply what they have learned during a Capstone Experience at the end of the eight-week course, which concludes on Nov. 9.

    Weekly Training Schedule
    Week 1: Orientation and Servant Leadership
    Week 2: Predictive Analytics and Legal
    Week 3: Media
    Week 4: Drone and Futuristics
    Week 5: Mental Illness and Trauma Awareness
    Week 6: Public Safety Integration
    Week 7: Law Enforcement/Corrections
    Week 8: Capstone Experience and Graduation

  3. Featured Speakers

    Pedro “Pete” Cordero
    A former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cybersecurity executive and the founder of Hacking the Cyber Threat, Pete Cordero is an expert in his field and provides cybersecurity leadership consulting services to governing boards, senior-level executives, and leadership teams. Cordero retired after 27 years as an FBI Special Agent where he specialized in complex investigations in cybersecurity intrusions, counterterrorism, public corruption, and financial institution/Foreign Corrupt Practices Act fraud. Cordero holds numerous certifications and previously served as Deputy Director of the FBI National Cyber Investigative Task Force. His final FBI assignment was as FBI National Academy Cybersecurity Leadership Instructor where he instructed more than 300 law enforcement executives from around the world on how to address cybersecurity threats.

    Steve Gregory
    Steve Gregory is California’s first working journalist to become a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST)-certified instructor. Gregory has worked with iHeartMEDIA since 1993 and is an expert on media relations and crisis communications. In 2016, the California State Legislature presented him with a resolution acknowledging his contributions to journalism and the community. Throughout his career, Gregory has provided on-the-scene coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial, Hurricane Katrina, and riots in Ferguson, Missouri, following the death of Michael Brown. Gregory has given presentations at many trainings throughout the United States.

    Dawn Reeby
    The founder of Excellence in Analytics, Dawn Reeby is a subject matter expert, keynote speaker, trainer, seasoned law enforcement analyst, and coach with nearly 25 years of experience in the development, integration, and growth of data-driven strategies in law enforcement. Recognized for her contributions to the analytical community with the 2021 Bryan Hill IACA Memorial Scholarship, Reeby has worked with law enforcement agencies at all levels as a strategy specialist. An Amazon best-selling author, Reeby’s books, “Bigger Than Data – A Law Enforcement Analyst’s Roadmap to Marketability, Professional Development, Fulfillment & Joy” and “Building a Crime Analysis Legacy: A law enforcement supervisor’s roadmap to building long-lasting, high-quality analytical capacity” have highlighted and helped advance the role analytics play in law enforcement.

Become a Leader

Public safety and criminal justice organizations are operating with a diverse, multi-generational workforce. NIA will give participants the knowledge to inspire others, transform organizations, and deliver results.

Inspire others: Never has it been more important to inspire and influence those delivering law enforcement and correctional services in our communities. NIA will introduce and train participants in leadership tools and techniques to lead their teams proactively, strategically, and ethically.

Transform organizations: Using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), NIA will give participants the tools to surpass their goals, enhance their leadership skills, and excel in adopting leading-edge strategies that further the mission of their rapidly changing organizations. Participants will graduate with a wealth of practical skills to facilitate change and transform their organizations by implementing futuristic strategies.

Deliver results: NIA will prepare an exceptional group of public safety and criminal justice executives whose influence will forever change law enforcement and corrections services through unprecedented professionalism. Participants who complete the course will be fully prepared to take the next step in their careers and become effective, innovative administrators.