LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — Township police command staff joined the ranks of 125 other law enforcement groups nationwide by demonstrating “excellence in leadership” in its training with the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.
The Lower Saucon department also is both the first in state and among just eight total this year to get the FBI-LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award, according to a news release.
That distinction includes the completion of a three-part, nearly five-day series highlighting skills in transformational leadership, social and emotional intelligence, diversity and inclusion, public trust and more.
“The Lower Saucon Police Department is looking forward to applying the knowledge learned during this training in our daily service to the community."Lower Saucon Twp. Police Chief Thomas Barndt
Those involved in the training included Chief Thomas Barndt, Cpl. Thomas Louder, Cpl. Chuck Werkheiser, Cpl. Kyle Haggerty, Sgt. Christopher Leidy, Det. Eric Marth and Cpl. Timothy Connell.
Barndt said it’s been a goal of the department, especially since he took command in 2018, to provide continuing education opportunities for officers.
“The Lower Saucon Police Department is looking forward to applying the knowledge learned during this training in our daily service to the community,” Barndt said.
'Another notch' for LSTPD
An FBI-LEEDA official recognized the personnel’s achievement firsthand at Wednesday's meeting of Lower Saucon Township Council.
“FBI-LEEDA has been incredibly impressed with the hard work and dedication of the Lower Saucon Township Police Department to earn the Agency Trilogy Award,” FBI-LEEDA Chief Operational Officer Michael Robinson said.
“This is a true honor to receive this, and you guys are the best."Lower Saucon Twp. Council President Priscilla deLeon, speaking to police command staff
Council President Priscilla deLeon said this makes for “another notch” in the department’s skill set.
“This is a true honor to receive this, and you guys are the best,” deLeon said to the command staff.
The Lower Saucon Township Police Department has 15 full-time and six part-time officers, one K-9 and two full-time support staff, according to the township website.
More on FBI-LEEDA
FBI-LEEDA is a private nonprofit unassociated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, its website reads.
It's made up of more than 60,000 members around the world, with goals of improving management practices and offering training to law enforcement groups.
It offers more than 450 classes annually, including its flagship course: the Agency Trilogy Award, the release reads.
Experienced law enforcement officials from various areas of the country come to instruct the seminars, bringing appropriate know-how to every course involved.
