Parsons Police Department Earns National Leadership Award
What do you think?
PARSONS, KS. — The Parsons Police Department has received the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) Agency Trilogy Award, a national recognition honoring law enforcement agencies whose entire command staff completes an advanced leadership training program.
The department presented the achievement to the Parsons City Commission during its work session Oct. 29, highlighting its commitment to professional development, accountability and public safety.
All five members of the department's command staff completed the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Leadership Series, which consists of three five-day training programs focused on leadership and management in law enforcement.
The command staff members who completed the program are Chief of Police Robert L. Spinks, Deputy Chief Dennis K. Dodd, Lt. Sherri D. McGuire, Lt. Kyle R. E. Wiford and Lt. Jason W. Ludwig.
The three programs include the Supervisor Leadership Institute, which focuses on leadership fundamentals, communication and decision-making; the Command Leadership Institute, which emphasizes organizational leadership and personnel management; and the Executive Leadership Institute, which covers strategic planning, organizational development and managing change.
Each participant completes 15 days of training to earn the individual Trilogy Award. With all five command staff members completing the series, the department accumulated 75 days of leadership education.
Unlike the individual award, the Agency Trilogy Award recognizes an entire department's leadership team for completing the training requirements.
"Leadership is not something that comes automatically with a rank or a title. It is something that must be developed, challenged, and continually improved," Spinks said. "Having every member of our command staff complete this training demonstrates that we are committed to holding ourselves to the same high standards that we expect from the officers and employees we lead."
Spinks said the award represents the department's commitment to improving leadership, decision-making and service to the community.
The department also has worked to expand access to professional training in Southeast Kansas by hosting all three FBI-LEEDA Trilogy courses in Parsons. The courses have provided training opportunities for local officers and law enforcement professionals from surrounding communities.
FBI-LEEDA is an independent nonprofit organization that provides professional education and leadership training for law enforcement agencies.
The Agency Trilogy Award adds to the department's professional development efforts, which include earning Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program accreditation in 2026.
According to the department, these accomplishments reflect an ongoing effort to strengthen professionalism, accountability and organizational effectiveness.
The department said its investment in leadership training is intended to help prepare command staff to make difficult decisions, support employees, maintain public trust and respond to the changing demands of law enforcement.
The Parsons Police Department continues to emphasize its core values of pride, professionalism and dedication, with an ongoing commitment to serving the community.
