Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute Graduate

(Pictured left to right are Captain Larry Goodman, Sergeant Vaughan Whalen, Chief Bob Guthrie, Captain Paul Foley, and Lieutenant Mike Castro)

Sergeant Vaughan Whalen graduated from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SBSLI) yesterday after completing the 9-month course. Vaughan joins many other Arcadia Police Department supervisors and managers who have attended this valuable program. The courses are offered through the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training several times each year and alternate between northern and southern California. Vaughan traveled to the San Diego area for his classes, attending a 3-4 day session each month. Students receive reading and research assignments for each session and demand a good deal of time and effort. Congratulations to Sergeant Vaughan Whalen on his achievement.

From the POST site: 

The Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SBSLI) is a program designed to stimulate personal growth, leadership, and ethical decision-making in California law enforcement front-line supervisors. Designed and implemented in 1988 through the efforts of California law enforcement professionals and top educators and trainers, the SBSLI is an intense program based on experiential learning techniques. Students are challenged to learn new ways to resolve issues through group and individual work.

The curriculum takes students through an analysis of management (planning, organizing, directing, etc.) and leadership (inspiring, challenging, developing, etc.) and how each discipline compliments the other. The course progresses from self-evaluation, to interpersonal evaluation, to organizational relationships.

During the program, a typical successful student develops the ability to:

• Correlate the relationship between personal and organizational principles and values

• Exercise greater leadership in personal and professional activities

• Increase personal influence with individuals and groups to accomplish organizational goals

• Analyze issues from multiple perspectives

• Develop increased self-confidence and confidence in the ability of others

• Provide support and development for peers and subordinates

• Recognize and address areas for personal improvement

• Effectively integrate management skills and leadership qualities

A typical successful student is willing to learn, open to new ideas, and able to engage in deep self-examination of values and beliefs. The program is not a "how-to" course and should not be viewed as a fix for problem individuals. The curriculum provides a forum for personal growth and development of qualities necessary for effective public safety leadership.