Durham Tech Campus Police and Public Safety chief graduates from prestigious Law Enforcement Executive Program

Durham Tech Campus Police and Public Safety Police Chief Jamaal Walker graduated recently from N.C. State’s prestigious Law Enforcement Executive Program.

The program began as one of the first law enforcement leadership programs in the country. The sixth-month program prepares law enforcement leaders for a variety of crisis situations, based on instructors’ personal experiences. Since the program’s inception, more than 700 law enforcement officers have graduated.

Participants were assessed as leaders, identifying both their strengths and weaknesses. Instructors shared the challenges they had encountered professionally and where they had identified their own weaknesses in dealing with situations.

“The instructors and their life lessons really helped change things you might be doing so you can make adjustments now and not go through the experiences they went through in the same way,” Walker said.

For the overall project for the program, class members were tasked with handling a department that was struggling. They presented how they would get the department back on track, programs that were needed and how to address issues within the culture.

Walker said he learned a great deal through the program and the network opportunities he built.  

“The instructors’ willingness to share their personal experiences and help us identify other ways to handle certain situations was invaluable,” he said. “We had people who had dealt with crises on large scales, and building on their knowledge and those relationships will continue to help me in my career.”

Dr. Susan Bowen, Durham Tech vice president and chief operations officer for the College, said Walker’s interest in participating in the program exemplifies his commitment to public safety.

“Durham Tech is fortunate to have Chief Walker,” she said. “He is dedicated to public safety and continually improving the security we provide for students and employees. I am extremely proud to be his colleague and of the work he does for this institution.”