Lead the Way With a CPE or RPL Designation

Reach your career goal in your public safety communications field by joining other emergency communications professionals in an APCO leadership program.

What’s the difference?

Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) Program

The RPL Program is designed for individuals interested in developing a solid foundation of management and supervisory skills necessary for successful ECC operations. It focuses on the skills needed to manage people and small teams.

Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) Program

The CPE Program is designed to elevate professionalism, enhance individual performance and recognize excellence in the public safety communications industry. It is focused on the skills and attributes necessary to lead organizations.

rpl logo

The RPL Program focuses on the skills needed to manage people and small teams.

  • Overview of Topics
    • Communication skills
    • Management and supervisory skills, attitude and mindset
    • Planning and conducting productive performance appraisals
    • Interpersonal negotiations: Breaking down the barriers
    • How to build high-performance teams
    • About APCO – structure, governance, etc.

     

  • Recertification
    • Every four years

     

The CPE Program is focused on the skills and attributes necessary to lead organizations.

  • Overview of Topics

    Introduction to Executive Leadership

    • Management vs. leadership
    • Models/theories of leadership
    • Public safety leadership issues
    • Situational leadership: Employee
    • Situational leadership: Leader
    • Adaptive leadership: The self
    • Adaptive leadership: The organization
    • Leadership styles
    • Ethical leadership in the 21st century

     
    Defining Leaders

    • How leaders define themselves
    • Leadership: Relating to others
    • Understanding your organization
    • Providing vision
    • How leaders take responsibility
    • Identifying problems and recognizing opportunities for change
    • Leadership: Formulating courses of action
    • Executing change
    • Managing ongoing change
    • Leaders in action
    • Leadership for the 21st century

     
    Executive Leadership in Action

    • Myers-Briggs type indicator as a leadership tool
    • Case studies in executive leadership
    • Leadership Live: Industry-leading guest speakers
  • Recertification
    • No recertification required