THE CITY OF MYRTLE BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT (MBPD) IS REQUESTING A $50,000 COPS MICROGRANT GRANT TO CONTINUE IMPLEMENTING THE LEED PROGRAM: A NOVEL AND INNOVATIVE MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT COURSE THAT FOCUSES ON EQUIPPING POLICE OFFICERS WITH THE PRACTICAL AND ACADEMIC TOOLS NECESSARY TO BECOME EFFECTIVE LEADERS AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY POLICING. THE PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN MBPD, COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY (CCU), AND SOUTH CAROLINA CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMY (SCCJA). LEED DEEPENS THE UNDERSTANDING OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, ENHANCES COMMUNICATION SKILLS, FOSTERS TRUST AND RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, ESTABLISHES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR TEAM MEMBERS, AND INCREASES COMMUNITY POLICING. THE LEED PROGRAM REPRESENTS A VALUABLE INVESTMENT IN POLICE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND BENEFITS A DIVERSE ARRAY OF STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING MBPD, REGIONAL PARTNERS, MYRTLE BEACH RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, AND OTHER AGENCIES THAT MAY CHOOSE TO REPLICATE THIS TRAINING FOR THEIR OFFICERS. THE APPLICANT PROVIDES A RUDIMENTARY BUDGET NARRATIVE THAT NEEDS ADDITIONAL DETAILS IN ORDER TO PROCESS THIS BUDGET. THE APPLICANT PROVIDES A REASONABLE TIMELINE THAT PROVIDES ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON THE COURSES THAT OFFICERS WILL TAKE. PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OFFICERS TO TAKE TAILORED CLASSES AT A LOCAL POST SECONDARY SCHOOL TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO DO THEIR JOBS IS NOT NEW OR INNOVATIVE. HOWEVER, THIS PROGRAM SEEMS WELL CONSIDERED AND WOULD CERTAINLY BE BENEFIT TO THIS AGENCY.