Fellow colleagues from across the country recently honored Baldwinsville Police Chief Michael Lefanchek.
While attending the Rural Executive Management Institute (REMI) program in Chicago, Ill., Lefancheck was chosen to be the class spokesperson. Additionally, the chief received the Outstanding Achievement Award for leadership skills demonstrated throughout the four-day program.
“It is quite humbling to be recognized by folks from all over the country,” Lefancheck said.
This was the first time a participant received both honors.
Attending the program with 26 colleagues, both chiefs and sheriffs representing 19 different states, Lefancheck said REMI, an executive management education program, provided excellent training on topics such as leading in law enforcement, preparing and managing budgets, grant writing techniques, media relations and responding to crisis in schools. The classes were presented by a faculty of experts brought together by the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement (NCRLE), an organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“The program was a first-rate operation. The people they brought in were very knowledgeable and I learned a great deal. I am very fortunate to have been able to attend,” he said.
The chief said many things he learned can be incorporated here in Baldwinsville and will allow him to do a better job as the chief of police. He added, “Anytime you can interact with colleagues from across the country, it is beneficial.”
Lefancheck has served 23 years with the Baldwinsville Police Department. He is the Chairman of the Onondaga County Chapter of Chiefs of Police, Inc. and a member of the Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police, New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police and Baldwinsville Boys Lacrosse Booster Club. He is also an instructor for the Central New York Police Academy.
Chief Lefancheck is past chairman of the Northwest Human Services Council and was named the Baldwinsville Police Officer of the Year in 1989 and 1991. His participation in the REMI program reflects his commitment to education and his dedication to providing quality law enforcement in Baldwinsville.
REMI, a four-day education and training course, is designed exclusively for the rural sheriff and chief of police. The course is designed to mirror the educational programs currently available to urban departments and foreign law enforcement officials.
