Jacksonville State University hosted its first Southeastern Leadership Command College for law enforcement officers across Alabama this week.

The strategic aim of the program will offer professional development to senior officers, while also training officers at a sergeant or lieutenant level to later become leaders in their departments and agencies.

The curriculum is focused on general management and leadership principles, including conflict resolution, fiscal responsibilities, and the political, legal and social environment in law enforcement.

The nine-week program has already drawn 44 officers from 25 agencies across the state.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall praised Jackson State for hosting the event.

“When you look at the value of what JSU has done, it is not just the investment in law enforcement – it is the fact that you have told a mother whose child is a victim of a violent crime that we are going to support you in finding the person who committed that offense and find justice,” said Marshall.

“While you have had a broad impact on people who have come through these doors, it’s the communities in which they came from where you will make the most impact.”

RELATED: Jacksonville State opens Law Enforcement Command College

Kaleb Littlejohn, Director of the Center for Best Practices in Law Enforcement, shared excitement for the momentum behind the program.

“It’s going really well,” said Littlejohn. “I couldn’t be happier about the way they are communicating.”

JSU President Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. emphasized the school’s tradition of partnering with law enforcement at the ribbon cutting for the program in January.

“For more than 50 years, Jacksonville State has been the torchbearer for police education and training in Northeast Alabama,” Killingsworth said. “Over the past decade, the university has widened its reach, offering comprehensive training and resources to support officers at every stage of their careers throughout the State of Alabama.”

Command College is one of several programs and initiatives Jacksonville State has established over the past decade to support Alabama law enforcement. Its peer programs include the Center for Applied Forensics, Center for Best Practices in Law Enforcement, the Alabama Investigator Academy and the Jax State Cold Case Program.

JSU is also home to the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.