LA PLATA, Md. — Detective/Sergeant David Roys of the La Plata Police Department graduated from the 29th Annual Greater Chesapeake Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS) on May 12, 2025, enhancing his leadership skills through a prestigious program hosted by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The seminar, designed for law enforcement executives and supervisors, equips participants with tools to address contemporary policing challenges.
The week-long LEEDS training covered critical topics, including the Incident Command System, FBI resources for investigations involving crimes against children and missing persons, investigative genealogy, media relations, and emerging legal trends shaping the future of law enforcement. These sessions, led by FBI Academy staff and other law enforcement experts, aim to foster strategic thinking and effective management in policing.
Roys, a decorated officer recognized as the La Plata Police Department’s 2020 Officer of the Year, joins a distinguished group of department supervisors and command staff who have completed the LEEDS program. Previous graduates include Chief Carl Schinner, Lieutenants Michael Payne and Robert Bagley, and Sergeants Jason Posey, Matthew Norris, Glen Plater, Philip Thompson, and Ricky Fields. This collective commitment to advanced training underscores the department’s dedication to professional excellence.
The Greater Chesapeake LEEDS, established in 1995 as a Regional Command College, is tailored to meet the evolving demands of law enforcement leadership. “LEEDS provides an educational program geared towards today’s demands and tomorrow’s needs,” according to the La Plata Police Department’s statement on prior graduates. The seminar addresses social, economic, legal, political, and technological factors that influence decision-making in policing, preparing officers like Roys to navigate complex challenges.
Roys’ participation in LEEDS builds on his established record of service. In April 2020, he and Charles County Sheriff’s Officer Gregory Champaign responded to a crisis at a gas station on Crain Highway, where an individual was attempting self-harm with gasoline and a lighter. Roys’ quick action to disarm the individual helped prevent a tragedy, earning both officers the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Bronze Star. Additionally, Roys has mentored younger officers, notably guiding a rookie through a 2020 investigation involving gunfire damage to 14 vehicles and homes, leading to multiple arrests.
The LEEDS program, conceptualized in 1981, targets leaders of mid-sized law enforcement agencies with 50 to 500 personnel, though its regional colleges, like the Greater Chesapeake session, also accommodate smaller departments. Since 1993, the FBI has expanded LEEDS to include agencies with 75 or fewer officers, with 21 regional training sites now operating nationwide. The program’s curriculum, which includes facilitated discussions and subject matter expert presentations, fosters networking and the exchange of innovative policing strategies.
Roys’ graduation from LEEDS strengthens the La Plata Police Department’s capacity to serve its community effectively. His training in investigative genealogy and FBI resources for missing persons cases equips him to handle sensitive investigations with precision. Similarly, his exposure to media relations strategies enhances the department’s ability to communicate transparently with the public, while knowledge of emerging legal trends ensures compliance with evolving standards.
The La Plata Police Department continues to prioritize professional development, with multiple officers completing LEEDS and other FBI training programs. This focus aligns with the FBI-LEEDA mission to advance law enforcement leadership and improve community quality of life. As Roys applies his new skills, the department remains poised to address both current demands and future challenges in policing.
