Detroit Police Department Leadership Academy

The Ilitch School's Detroit Police Department Leadership Academy (DPDLA) is an accelerated executive development program for City of Detroit law enforcement officers in or aspiring to leadership roles.

In this immersive six-month cohort program, officers gain insights about engaging talent, leading teams and managing organizations while developing skills in areas such as strategy, decision-making, negotiation, strategic communication and change management.

DPDLA certificate graduates emerge with a broad understanding of contemporary business management theory and practice and its application to the management of law enforcement organizations. Many have chosen to apply their credits toward an Ilitch School M.B.A. or Master of Science in Organizational Leadership degree.

Many of the highest-ranking leaders of the Detroit Police Department are DPDLA graduates.

To learn more about the DPDLA, contact the Graduate Programs Office at gradbusiness@wayne.edu.