April 25, 2023
Contact: Sara Diedrich, 573-882-3243, diedrichs@missouri.edu
Lt. April Colbrecht of the University of Missouri Police Department recently completed the Missouri Police Chiefs Association Command College, a rigorous six-week course designed to provide valuable training for current and future law enforcement supervisors, commanders, chiefs and sheriffs.
Colbrecht, who joined MUPD in 1998 shortly after graduating from the MU, said the overarching theme of the course was leadership through building positive community relationships.
“It was great training, and I learned something every session,” she said. “And it was a great opportunity to network with other agencies around the state.”
Each of the six weeks was the equivalent of one master’s level course (Master of Arts in sociology/criminal justice). Topics included criminal justice administration, issues in liability, homeland security, personnel management and leadership, media relations and issues in criminal law.
Each participant received a Certificate of Completion as well as the opportunity/option to
matriculate on to a master’s degree in sociology-criminal justice administration from Lincoln University in Jefferson City. Colbrecht, who already has a master’s degree in public administration from MU, received the certificate.
“They really work hard at ensuring all the material is current and relevant to today’s law enforcement leaders,” Colbrecht said. “Because our department is accredited, there were quite a few things they recommended as best practices that we are already doing at MUPD, but there were a few things that I was able to bring back that may help us operate safer, more efficiently and with fewer risks to liability.”
