Regarded as the most robust law enforcement leadership program in the country, the Atlanta Police Leadership Institute (APLI) is building the leadership capacity of the APD. APLI is a groundbreaking program established by the Atlanta Police Foundation in partnership with Georgia State University. Since its inception, more than 1,000 officers have matriculated through the program. As the expectation of police leaders continues to increase, so does the importance of this much-needed program.

The five-tier, leadership-focused curriculum is designed to develop a well-rounded understanding of APD operations and prepares mid-level leaders to manage confidently and efficiently the challenges facing today’s law enforcement community. Officers who participate in APLI gain valuable skills in policy development, process improvement and mission-critical program design as they work through complicated public safety issues, conduct focused research projects, participate in strategic placements in other city departments and learn from mentors in the business community.

Advanced Training is crucial to establishing a more effective, professional and sustainable police department.

In 2006, the Atlanta Police Foundation (APF) established the Officer Training Program to ensure that Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers have access to the best possible training opportunities. To date, more than 6,000 officers have received specialized training in leadership or advanced crime fighting techniques. The APF also provided funds to assist the Atlanta Police Academy in purchasing the most up-to-date training equipment including a shoot/don’t shoot simulator for reality based training.

Training is approved on a case-by-case basis by the APD/APF Training and Scholarship Committee. The committee is composed of representatives from various divisions within the APD as well as Atlanta Police Foundation representatives.

To submit a training opportunity to the committee please use the APF Training Request Form.

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) believes that education enriches the lives, skills and abilities of its employees. To support this, the Atlanta Police Foundation has created the Scholarship Program, which reimburses APD employees up to $3,000 in education fees per year. Course work must be in a job-related field, and students must earn a “B” or higher in the class to qualify for reimbursement. Participants in the scholarship program agree to remain on the force 3 years after receiving their scholarship which is designed to reduce attrition within the department.

Since program inception in late 2006, more than $400,000 in scholarship money has been dispersed through more than 500 scholarships . The Atlanta Police Foundation looks forward to continuing to provide the gift of a college education to APD employees. To download the latest scholarship reimbursement application please click on the highlighted link.

More detailed instructions on how to apply and how applications are approved for reimbursement can be found in the Scholarship and Training Policies and Procedures document.

For more information on the Scholarship Program, contact Harry Smith at the Atlanta Police Foundation, hsmith@atlantapolicefoundation.org I 404.586.0180, or contact the Atlanta Police Department Training Academy, 404.209.5250.