蚂蚁福利导航

LEXINGTON, Va., Nov. 28, 2024—Michael Marshall, chief of police at 蚂蚁福利导航 Military Institute, recently completed the Professional Executive Leadership School (PELS), an intensive three-week leadership education program, spanned over a period of three months. PELS is conducted by the 蚂蚁福利导航 Association of Chiefs of Police in cooperation with the University of Richmond and designed for law enforcement officers currently serving in executive level positions in the commonwealth. The objective of the program is to teach best practices in leadership, challenge participants to reflect upon their own leadership competency, and examine ways of achieving both personal and professional growth.

Marshall, who was one of only 28 who qualified to attend the highly selective program, was awarded the prestigious PELS Graduate Leadership Award at the graduation ceremony. The award recognizes one member of the class who has demonstrated a personal commitment to expand his own leadership abilities, exhibited a sincere desire to learn and improve himself, best represented his organization and profession, and demonstrated a sincere desire to support and encourage others in the class. The winner was chosen by his peers in a blind ballot.

Lt. Nick Lion of the Alexandria Police Department, who also completed PELS, shared that Marshall embodied excellent leadership skills from the start of the program. “He took time to individually meet with classmates, both in the academic setting and during our social hours. His broad scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities brought context and perspective to many of the topics we covered in the class. He asked genuine questions, listened thoughtfully, and his principles are firmly grounded in the selfless values of duty and service. He was an easy choice for this significant award,” said Lion.

Marshall stated that while most good leadership skills are universal, there are skills particular to law enforcement. “I use the phrase, ‘clarity with power.’ In our profession, we don’t have a lot of leeway time during certain events, so when we are called on to make that split-second decision, we’re clear about it and understand ramifications that could occur. A good leader must be open minded, able to accept constructive criticism, and understand the importance of teamwork.”

Marshall has been invited to return to PELS in February to teach Budgeting for Public Personnel as an adjunct professor.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE