The Home Secretary praises police chiefs of the future

The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper praised aspiring police leaders for their public service commitment when she met delegates [06/03/25] attending the College of Policing’s Executive Leaders Programme (ELP).

She visited the College’s training centre at Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire, to meet fifty UK and overseas officers and staff participating in the training programme, including representatives from Nepal, the Cayman Islands, and Barbados.

Delegates on the nineteen-week long programme, which is led by ELP Cohort Director and Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, KPM, heard the Home Secretary praise the candidates for their commitment.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “It was a privilege to meet such a wide range of representatives from across policing today taking part in the College of Policing’s Executive Leaders Programme.

 “This next generation of police leaders will play a crucial role in shaping the future of policing, navigating the ever-evolving challenges that come with keeping this country safe.

 “It is vital we can be confident our leaders in policing are ready and up for the challenge, and I know the skills and experience they will gain on this programme will be invaluable.”

During the visit, the Home Secretary also met College of Policing, CEO Sir Andy Marsh, Director of Operational Standards, Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, and staff responsible for running the ELP, including James Blackburn (ELP Development Manager) and Sarah Jackson (Executive Leadership Trainer) 

Cohort Director Chief Constable Kennedy said: “I think the benefit of the ELP is the opportunity it provides for our aspiring and future chief officers to step out of the workplace. They can really take some time to learn about their own values and themselves as individuals.

“Those attending are incredibly talented and get access to world leading speakers, and the best academics and leaders within policing and the public sector. They can really challenge their own leadership and go to the next level.

“Policing is changing rapidly month by month, and as we move into police reform, we are going to need leaders who have challenged themselves. By taking a good hard look at their own leadership style delegates can learn how to better lead in the modern world of policing.”

The aim of the programme is to help deliver consistently capable leadership at all levels and it is a pre-requisite for police officers taking on any executive role within policing. It is open to applicants from both UK and international partner organisations.

ELP delegates undergo a blended mix of face-to-face, guided learning, and a short professional placement. The programme is delivered through the College’s innovative National Centre for Police Leadership (NCPL), which delivers high quality training for every rank and role.