TORONTO , April 6 (AScribe Newswire) -- A seventh group of police executives will graduate on April 8, 2006, from an MBA-style program at the University of Toronto 's Rotman School of Management. Their newly acquired management and leadership skills will help them to better meet the challenges in today's complex, policing environment. The program includes participants from: Calgary Police Service, Toronto Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.   

Faced with the increasing challenges of policing in Canada , the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) partnered with the Rotman School of Management to create a unique three-week educational program for its members. Six years later, the Police Leadership Program has provided leadership and management training for 111 future and current police leaders in municipal, provincial, and military police services nationwide. Graduates have been promoted to the highest ranks within their organizations.   

"Today's police leaders in Ontario and Canada deal with many diverse and complex challenges," said OACP President Chief Armand La Barge. "The partnership between OACP and Rotman to train and develop police leaders to meet these challenges remains an important part of our commitment to meet the public safety needs of all our citizens across the province."   

The current class represents 15 police services from across the country. The program features classroom instruction by Rotman faculty, peer interaction, and presentations by business leaders including Frank Clegg, Chairman Navantis Inc., and former President Microsoft Canada and police-related speakers such as RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli.   

Alumni of the program who have been promoted to the position of chief since graduation include Bill Blair (Toronto Police Service), Ian Davidson (Greater Sudbury Police Service), Murray Faulkner (London Police Service), Brian Mullan (Hamilton Police Service), and Wendy Southall (Niagara Regional Police Service).   

"Today's police leaders need many of the same skills as business managers," says Rotman professor Ramy Elitzur, academic director of the program. "During their three weeks in the Police Leadership Program participants acquire valuable management and leadership skills that they can take back to better serve their communities they are accountable to."   

The ceremonial graduation for the current class takes place at the Rotman School , Saturday, April 8, 2006 beginning at 1:30 pm. Attending the ceremony will be police chiefs and senior officers, civic representatives, the graduates' families, and program alumni.   

POLICE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM - GRADUATES, SPRING 2006   

        Inspector Jill Archer, Peel Regional Police   

        Acting Superintendent Timothy Armour, Ottawa Police Service   

        Inspector Steve Asanin, Peel Regional Police   

        Inspector Stephen Beckett, Waterloo Regional Police Service   

        Inspector Terry Creighton, York Regional Police  

        Inspector Anthony Cusimano, York Regional Police   

        Staff Superintendent Michael Federico, Toronto Police Service   

        Superintendent Richard Finn, York Regional Police   

        Chief Rod Freeman, Orangeville Police Service  

        Superintendent Douglas Kane, Niagara Regional Police Service  

        Deputy Chief Jeff Kellner, Brantford Police Service   

        Inspector Dan Kinsella, Hamilton Police Service   

        Mr. Giles le Riche, Durham Regional Police Service   

        Inspector Lee MacArthur, Brockville Police Service  

        Detective Inspector Mary MacLachlan, Ontario Provincial Police   

        Ms. Karen Matthews, Kingston Police Force  

        Inspector Richard McCabe, York Regional Police   

        Ms. Beverly Mullins, Peel Regional Police   

        Mr. Allan Phibbs, Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services   

        Deputy Chief Dean Young, Calgary Police Service   

        Staff Sergeant Todd Zimmerman, Greater Sudbury Police Service   

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CONTACTS: Ken McGuffin, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management Media Relations, 416-946-3818 , mcguffin@rotman.utoronto.ca   

Joe Couto, The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, Government Relations and Communications, 416-926-0424 , cell 416-270-0372 , jcouto@oacp.on.ca