Program Overview

Police and Public Safety Supervisor Certificate

The Police and Public Safety Supervisor Certificate is a program built in collaboration with Brantford Police Services and developed by police experts. This course examines the many aspects of the role of supervision and leadership, and how they impact on the delivery of effective public safety services.

Program Description

World events over the last few years have demonstrated the need to re-appraise leadership styles and competencies to deliver public safety services effectively and efficiently to our diverse communities. Front-line supervisors, whether operational or administrative, are the linchpin to organizational efficacy, translating strategies from senior command to operational implementation. Self-awareness is a fundamental building block to leadership development that defines how members "model the way."

Learners will assess their current leadership attributes and go on to learn how to enhance competency, examine communication skills, the impact of performance management, dealing with health and wellness issues, and working within diverse communities. Through readings, online course materials, in-class work, self-reflection, and case problems, learners will begin to enhance their leadership skills, and how their style as a leader has impact on them, their team, and their service.

Target Audience

This program has been designed for current, acting and aspiring police and public safety supervisors. We recommend participants have 2+ years of police and/or public safety experience before registering for the certificate.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and demonstrate critical leadership skills, including competencies, behaviours, and attitudes, to effectively lead and manage teams as public safety supervisors.
• Analyze and evaluate workplace issues such as diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellness, and ethical decision-making.
• Develop intercultural communication skills to better understand and interpret behaviours, actions, and attitudes of individuals in contact with public safety members.
• Determine and defend performance management techniques, including diagnosing performance, providing feedback, and implementing improvement plans to optimize individual and team performance.
• Critically assess and evaluate various communication methods and techniques to ensure clarity and effectiveness in communicating with team members and the community.

Course Structure

Component One: Leadership

Two days of in-person workshops focusing on critical leadership skills. These two days allow learners to explore and further develop their competencies in leadership by exploring the many aspects of leadership in an interactive format. Role-play and case-based discussion encourage learners to further develop existing competencies necessary for success as frontline supervisors.

Component Two: Workplace Issues

Eight weeks of online micro-credentials highlighting six issues affecting the workplace. Completion of each micro-credential is mandatory prior to the in-person capstone workshop.

• Performance Management
• Intercultural Communication
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Indigenous Cultures
• Community Engagement
• Occupational Health and Safety

Component Three: Capstone Day

A one-day, in-person workshop where learners apply and reinforce knowledge earned through the previous in-person and online components.

Pricing

The total cost for the certificate is $1,950 per participant. This program is HST exempt.

Upcoming Dates

All in-person workshops are at the Brantford Campus.

• Day 1 and 2 (in-person): September 10 and 11, 2026
• Online courses: September 14 - November 13, 2026
• Day 3 (in-person): November 18, 2026

Completion Requirements

Assessments

Assessments include group work, online quizzes, discussion questions and learning debriefs. The consistent use of assessments throughout the in-person, two-day leadership workshops, the online courses, and the final in-person capstone day will allow learners to reflect on and record their experiences, considerations, and questions that arise throughout the completion of the courses.

Participation and Attendance

Full attendance and participation is required on in-person days. Completion of all six online courses are mandatory to attend the final in-person day.

Testimonials

"This Certificate provides insight to help leaders build up their peers through coaching, motivating and mentoring. This results in an empowering confidence and self-sufficiency for those around them. The course provides a direct and informed approach to leadership that will help as you strive for a positive impact leading from the middle." "This course has been valuable and insightful for aspiring supervisors. It has shown me how to apply effective leadership skills in my work. I have reflected on my own goals and vision of what type of leader I would like to be and how I can support the service." "The Police and Public Safety Supervisor Certificate offered through Wilfrid Laurier University has been very beneficial. I have gained a great deal of specialized knowledge and further ambition in the area of leadership. The course work covers a broad range; I specifically enjoyed the focus on community engagement and its impact on building meaningful relationships. I also benefited from historical overviews and material covering events relevant in today's society." "The Police and Public Safety Supervisor course through Laurier has been informative to how the police and the public can build positive relationships by understanding differences in culture, traditions and origins. It is imperative that we understand how empathy and active listening can create opportunities for growth in the development of leaders in a police service and in the communities we serve."