The Kentucky State Police created the Sergeants’ Leadership Academy, a dynamic 4-week session that introduces students to functional and practical approaches to leadership. The core curriculum features the critical functions and skills necessary to a first-line supervisor: communication, task management, informational analysis, and leadership traits. Because sergeants have the dual responsibility of practicing discerning leadership while still answering calls for service, the program offers a mixture of practical application and legal updates. During the first week, program participants attend classes in the following: (1) Characteristics of Effective Leaders; (2) Communication Skills; (3) Problem Employees; (4) Team Building; (5) Ethical Decision making; (6) Conflict Resolution; and (7) Problem solving. During weeks 2-4, students cover 17 additional topics: Staff Allocation; Developing Goals and Objectives; Situational Leadership; Special Event Resources; Directed Patrol; Critical Incident Management; Case Management; Hostage Negotiations; Criminal Intelligence Resources; Leading Change; Service Excellence; Media Relations; Firearms Automated Training System; Strategies and Tactics of Patrol Stops; Methamphetamine Investigations; Legal Issues; and Retirement and Financial Planning.