Detroit Police Department Leadership Academy

Request information   Support the program   Support DPDLA students 

The Ilitch School's Detroit Police Department Leadership Academy (DPDLA) trains current and future leaders of law enforcement in the City of Detroit. It provides an accelerated executive development education track building business and leadership skills. Coursework is inclusive of leadership and management skill development, finance and budgeting, strategy and human resource management, and other important areas. Cohort participants engage in collaborative training designed to enhance their leadership skills and impart invaluable business expertise. 

DPDLA students gain a broad understanding of contemporary business management, high-level financial leadership and specialized law enforcement communication. The accelerated five-month intensive immersion program provides students approximately 50% of the credits needed to obtain an M.B.A. Many officers choose to continue graduate studies after the DPDLA program to complete their masters degree. 

Many of the officers in this program have sought higher responsibility in their respective organizations throughout the years. Education has been a staple principle and highly valuable tool in the advancement of Detroit Police personnel. 

The program, which welcomed its first set of participants in January 2018, is run in partnership with the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business with organizing and program development support from Deloitte.