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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Maplesville Police Chief Riley Barnett recently completed the first tier of 40 hours of the Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program (CLEEP) through the Alabama Association of Chief of Police (AACOP). Barnett received his recognition for completion of the first 40 hours of the program at the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Montgomery in February.

“I am very grateful for this training as it provides a solid foundation to executive leadership that I can implement into my department,” Barnett said. “The State of Alabama brings great speakers, and just the years and years of experience these guys have, to be able to be a part of that and to collaborate with them is a great opportunity. You learn something new every day, and these classes definitely help you further your range of knowledge in the field. We are family, and it is like going and having a class with your brothers.”

The program consists of specialized, executive-level training and is jointly administered by the University Partnership of Alabama for Continuing Education (UPACE) and AACOP. The program itself aims to secure a closer relationship among police officials throughout the State of Alabama, secure a unity of action in police matters, elevate standards of police institutions, encourage the advancement and perfection of a uniform police system within Alabama, and more.

The UPACE Partnership is made up of three universities in Alabama — Jacksonville State University, University of North Alabama and Troy University-Dothan, and its purpose is to make continuing education programs available for agencies and associations across Alabama. Barnett completed his first tier in the program in partnership with Jacksonville State.

The CLEEP provides training that assists with leadership development, refines management techniques and navigates the complexities of policing, and it is aimed to enhance the skills and expertise of law enforcement officers. Some of the courses in the program include Managing for Effectiveness, Dealing Effectively with the External Environment, Effective Management and Supervisory Techniques for the Police Executive and Strategic Planning for Your Department.

“This is a mark of success for Chief Barnett, as well as the Town of Maplesville, for its support of the advancement of law enforcement management principles,” Kaleb Littlejohn, Director of the Center for Best Practice in Law Enforcement at Jacksonville State University and UPACE Partner, said.

During the program, Barnett had the opportunity to network and collaborate with other law enforcement executives throughout Alabama. He said the courses help prepare policing executives like himself for the ever-changing law enforcement landscape, and it helps he and the Maplesville Police Department be prepared as something new is thrown their way each day.

“It keeps you up to date with new things going on around you, and you definitely have to sharpen your tools and keep them sharp,” Barnett said. “It is a learning experience, and every day (this job) brings something different. It gives me an opportunity to do that, and give back to my community.”