Metro Transit Police leaders part of international inaugural class to graduate from DC Police Leadership Academy

After working together with law enforcement leaders from across the world over the last three months, Captain Aaron Donald and Lieutenant Michael Bradshaw of the Metro Transit Police Department graduated from the inaugural class of the DC Police Leadership Academy (DCPLA) hosted by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The class of approximately 70 rising law enforcement leaders included participants from across the US and representatives from Germany, Canada, Netherlands, and England. The three-week program was broken into two sessions. Participants engaged in shaping the future of policing by developing their personal leadership abilities through discourse and interactive activities.

Captain Donald is a 13-year veteran and currently serves as the District Commander for MTPD. He has served in a variety of assignments from being a liaison with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to the Commander of MTPD’s Special Operations Division as well as positions in the Office of Professional Responsibilities and Inspections and the Criminal Investigations Division.

Lieutenant Bradshaw is a 15-year veteran and currently serves as a Section Commander in the Patrol Operations Bureau. He has served in leadership positions in both the Criminal Investigations Divisions and the Canine Division.

"Throughout their careers with MTPD, Captain Donald and Lieutenant Bradshaw have demonstrated their leadership,” said MTPD Chief Michael Anzallo. "Being part of the inaugural class of the DCPLA will help them shape current and future officers and we congratulate them on their graduation."

The goal of the DC Police Leadership Academy is to develop a strong cadre of second line supervisors who are adaptable, creative, and motivate others. DCPLA develops leaders who demonstrate high standards of integrity, trust, openness, humility, and respect. The program facilitates aculture of positive police leaders that understand the profession of law enforcement beyond their assigned role- leaders that create and maintain a sense of purpose and innovation in their agencies.

“We are focused on building a global legion of police leaders who strive to continuously transfer excellence at every level of a police force,” said MPD Chief of Police Robert J. Contee, III. “I am confident the leadership academy will continue to set our future police leaders up for continued advancement and success in any public safety environment.”

ABOUT DCPLA: The Metropolitan Police Department created DCPLA in 2022 with the intent to provide rising police leaders from around the world with the fundamental tools, ideas, and strategies necessary to lead within their agencies during a critical time for the advancement of law enforcement organizations. This program targets mid-level leaders (i.e., those that manage managers, but are not yet in appointed ranks). Through this program, participants develop a critical growth mindset, and learn essential management approaches to hone their personal and organizational leadership skills.