The Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA) kicked off The Center for American and International Law’s (CAIL) 2025 programs with its impactful Servant Leadership course, held January 6-7, at the Denton Public Safety Training Center. Braving the cold weather, 30 law enforcement professionals gathered for the two-day event, which encouraged a fresh approach to leadership rooted in service, empathy, and collaboration.
Photo: Law enforcement professionals gathered at the Denton Public Safety Training Center for ILEA’s Servant Leadership course, led by facilitator Mac Tristan. (Matt Clem LinkedIn)
Facilitated by the esteemed Mac Tristan, the program invited participants to reimagine traditional leadership frameworks, exploring how servant leadership can strengthen teams, foster trust, and enhance relationships with the communities they serve. Widely adopted in the business world for its ability to achieve improved outcomes, this philosophy has gained traction in law enforcement for its potential to enhance internal culture and relationships with the communities' officers serve.
Photo: Class participants braved 20-degree weather to participate in the program. (Mac Tristan LinkedIn)
Hosted by Chief Jessica Robledo and her exceptional team at the Denton Police Department, the course exemplified the power of local partnerships in advancing progressive leadership practices.
ILEA Deputy Director Matt Clem emphasized the importance of servant leadership in achieving these goals: "Programs like this are not just about professional development—they’re about helping law enforcement organizations create and sustain healthy leadership cultures that prioritize trust, accountability and result in safer communities."
This program marks the beginning of another impactful year for CAIL, reinforcing its commitment to fostering ethical leadership and driving meaningful change within law enforcement. The Servant Leadership program also showcased ILEA’s dedication to collaboration and innovation. By working closely with the Denton Police Department, ILEA demonstrated how partnerships between local agencies and organizations like CAIL can inspire transformative change in policing.
For more information about ILEA’s programs and initiatives, visit www.cailaw.org/ilea.