Kaysville Police Sgt. Cade Bradshaw recently graduated from the Southern Police Institute’s highly regarded Administrative Officers Course (AOC), a rigorous 12-week leadership program housed within the University of Louisville’s Department of Criminal Justice.

The 480-hour program, considered one of the nation’s premier law enforcement management courses, has been offered continuously since 1951. Its curriculum focuses on preparing ethically grounded and technically proficient leaders through advanced training in trauma-informed policing, administrative law, organizational performance, and diagnostic problem-solving.

Bradshaw described the coursework as “academically rigorous,” noting that during his 12 weeks in Louisville, he completed extensive reading requirements and authored several research papers on topics such as mental health, leadership, and administrative responsibilities in policing. Participants complete four upper-level college courses taught by doctoral-level instructors, including former law enforcement officers and a practicing attorney.

Completion of the AOC is widely regarded as a stepping-stone to upper-level command positions, and many police chiefs across the country have graduated from the program. Each class draws officers from across the United States as well as Europe and the Pacific Rim, creating a diverse learning environment that encourages collaboration, negotiation, and the exchange of modern policing strategies.

Housed in the University of Louisville’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Southern Police Institute emphasizes professional excellence and leadership development within the field of law enforcement. Instructors include seasoned administrators, academic experts, and program alumni who share real-world insights from their own careers.

For Bradshaw, the program served as both a personal milestone and an opportunity to bring contemporary, evidence-based policing practices back to Kaysville. He noted that trust between law enforcement and communities has eroded in some parts of the country over the past decade.

“This course is designed to help law enforcement leaders strengthen that trust and reduce crime by applying procedural justice and evidence-based practices such as hot spot policing, intelligence-led policing, and the stratified model,” he said. “As a leader, it is my responsibility to serve the officers I supervise and to teach them these principles so that we have more qualified and knowledgeable officers.”

Mental health emerged as a significant focus of the program. Bradshaw said one class examined how officers’ own mental well-being improves interactions with the public, reduces use-of-force incidents, and contributes to a healthier professional outlook. Participants also explored how mental health challenges influence criminal behavior and discussed strategies for helping individuals in crisis – emphasizing communication, resource connection, and alternatives to jail for those whose primary need is treatment.

Bradshaw was one of 29 law enforcement leaders who lived on campus and completed the program together. Admission to the AOC requires holding a supervisory position. Within the Kaysville Police Department, attendance is voluntary and based on seniority.

“Our chief strongly supports education and ensures these opportunities are available,” Bradshaw said. “The city funds the program with the expectation that we bring back the knowledge and practices to improve our department.”

Bradshaw said attending the AOC was a privilege. “My goal is to use what I learned to improve myself and help the next generation of officers grow, so we can provide the best service possible to our community.”