Questions about the Credible Leadership Organization

• What is a Credible Leadership Organization or CLO?  A CLO is a public safety organization internationally recognized as a leader in the ethical leadership development of agency personnel while being a partner/leader in building community well-being.
• What is a Credible Leadership Organization in Development or CLO-D?  A CLO-D is an organization that has certified at least one employee as a Certified Credible Leader – One Star and has expressed a desire in writing to the CJC-CLD to begin the process of becoming a CLO.
• Why should my agency become a CLO? A CLO is an organization committed to and recognized by the community as credible, trustworthy and reliable. As the organization improves, their human capacity and their ability to promote community well-being can be seen in the following examples:
  • Ethical and moral decision-making
  • Individual and team development
  • Organizational strategy design, planning and implementation
  • Promoting a culture of continuous improvement
• Is there a cost to become a Credible Leadership Organization?  Yes, there are fees that cover training, administrative costs and the technical assistance you may request.
• Once my Department becomes a CLO, is it permanent? Yes, the designation is permanent with the recommendation that it be renewed every four years or upon a request from the agency to ensure human capacity development is progressing, the strategic planning process is working and that the organization is progressing by demonstrating measureable impacts on the community.
• How will earning the CLO endorsement benefit my organization and citizens? This is done by maintaining the core standards of being a CLO and making measureable progress on mutually chosen measures of progress which include.
  •  Organizational Improvements – Improve the organization by measuring and demonstrating progresses in efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Improved safety and security – Improve basic measures of public safety, especially measures important to law enforcement such as reducing crime and arrests. The organization will determine those measures most practical, meaningful and needed.
  • Improved community well-being – Improve the community as evidenced by satisfaction surveys and partnering on initiatives to resolve locally defined problems. Impact on the community will also be measured.
• I am interested in legacy leadership – how will becoming a CLO help sustain my organization?  As your staff grows personally and professionally, the organization grows with them by increasing efficiencies and effectiveness as seen in:
  •  Strategic planning impact – Demonstrate effectiveness in implementing a strategic plan.
  • Organizational development – Demonstrate progress in developing the organization based on the measures used to evaluate effectiveness.
  • Improvements in safety and security – Demonstrate crime prevention and reduction results.
  • Continuous improvement – Demonstrate effectiveness in executing continuous improvement by providing an Action and Results Log to the CJC-CLD. This log is part of the documentation that indicates the organization is institutionalizing organizational growth and progress.
  • Training – That training goals according to the Continuous Improvement Team measures have been reached.
  • Community engagement/partnership – Engage and lead community stakeholders in crime prevention, reduction and community well-being initiatives such as decriminalizing the mentally ill.
  • Building trust – Building trust within the community served.
• How long will the CLO validation process take, do we need to assign someone to be responsible for the certification process?  The amount of time certification will require depends first on staff involvement in Certified Credible Leadership training, by institutionalizing a strategic planning process and by making progress on the measures the organization chooses to determine results, organizational capability and involvement in community partnerships. It is expected to require three years. It will be helpful to assign a single point of contact for your CLO process. This person would be the liaison between CJC-CLD staff and technical advisors and your organization. Your advisor will guide and assist you every step of the way.
• Will my organization get needed assistance in becoming a CLO?  Yes. As part of the endorsement process and international recognition, CJC-CLD staff and advisors will assist you in the two major areas, organizational capacity development and community participation. Assistance from CJC-CLD staff begins the moment the intention to seek endorsement is made. The mutually agreed requirements are thoroughly discussed, a plan is established and technical assistance is continuous by electronic communication and site visits as determined by your organizational leadership.
• How does becoming a CLO reduce our liabilities and risk as a public safety agency?  Staff and your agency grow simultaneously. The CCL coursework is designed to teach staff how to use a higher level of thinking emphasizing character, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, ethics and leadership concepts. This training individually and collectively helps staff become increasingly capable as officers and change agents. Simply put, with the CLO endorsement total organization overall competency is increased which translates to better service which reduces risk.
• Is the endorsement and national recognition process itself recognized as credible?  Yes. The Institute for Credible Leadership Development (ICLD) coursework required for staff to become a CCL is recognized/approved by Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Agencies in every state that the training is provided. The ICLD coursework  is also University approved for the articulation and transfer of credit hours toward college degrees.
• Will becoming a CLO increase employee satisfaction within our organization?  It is expected that individuals within your organization will have increasing satisfaction on the job because staff competency and responsibilities grow, leadership skills improve, overall complaints are reduced, employee retention improves, organizational thought and accountability increases, overall character and professionalism increases, team-building increases and individual self-awareness rises.

Questions about the Certified Credible Leader

• Are there prerequisites to becoming a CCL?  Yes. An individual is required to fill out an application, provide three letters of reference and submit the request package to the Criminal Justice Commission for Credible Leadership Development. Upon notification of acceptance of the Credible Leadership Certification, computerized link(s) for completion of coursework will be provided. Courses for each level of training are provided through the ICLD. Training materials and the exams are included when upon registration for each level of CCL certification.
• How will the CCL certification help me?  The Certified Credible Leader training and certification process is designed to educate you in the areas of character  building,  leadership principles and practice, sound  decision-making practices, emotional intelligence and select techniques and practices which are imperative to building a solid and long-lasting career in public safety. It also represents the line of thought that you are a leader regardless of your rank. Forward-thinking agencies require that their employees have solid leadership skills and a background of leadership. Becoming recognized as a CCL is a credit to the individual as a professional. Over time, a CCL will gain increasing respect and trust of self and from his/her family, community and organization.
• How long is the CCL certification process?  The certification is self-paced. Time to fully comprehend and complete the process varies with each individual. Thus, the final exam can be taken when the individual feels he/she is ready. There is a requirement to complete the certification in one year from the date of registration when tuition fees are paid.
• Is the CCL test proctored?  No. Tests are timed with a limit of three hours. The tests are taken online from home or work.
• What will I receive after I pass my CCL tests?  You will be mailed an 11×14 professional certification signed by the CJC-CLD Commissioners suitable for framing, a letter of congratulations and a Certified Credible Leadership lapel pin, which designates your level of completion.
• How would I list this CCL certification on my resume?  Certifications are generally the last item listed under the education section of your resume in the following format:  Certified Credible Leader, Level I, II, III, and/or so on.
• How would I list the CCL certification on my business card?  Certifications are generally listed in abbreviations after your name in the following format: Certified Credible Leader, Level I, II, III, and/or so on.