PERF will host four Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) sessions in June and July of 2025 at Boston University. Registration for the 2025 Senior Management Institute for Police program is closed. Please register for the 2025 Waitlist if you did not register for a session. 

Dates for the 2025 program are: 
 
Session 94: June 1 – June 19: (FULL)
Session 95: June 2 – June 20: (FULL)
Session 96: July 6 – July 24: (FULL)
Session 97: July 7 – July 25: (FULL)

SMIP 2025 Waitlist

If you applied for the 2024 waitlist, please plan to reapply for the 2025 sessions. We do not automatically roll over waitlist applications to 2025 sessions. 

If you have any questions, please review the SMIP FAQ page.  

SMIP is a program of the Police Executive Research Forum that provides senior police executives with intensive training in the latest management concepts and practices used in business and government.  

A demanding three-week course, SMIP brings together faculty from top universities, successful law enforcement chief executives, and subject matter experts from the private sector. It is designed for upper-level police executives who ultimately will lead police agencies. SMIP’s curriculum addresses the issues that demand the attention of today’s forward-thinking law enforcement leaders. Classes normally are held at the Boston University School of Law, where participants learn and reside in the university’s classrooms and residence hall. 

SMIP brings together leading thinkers in corporate and public management to provide intensive training in the latest management theories and practices, innovative solutions to organizational problems, and discussion of important issues in managing public service organizations effectively. SMIP focuses on leadership and executive development. The curriculum is much more conceptual than technical and requires participants to think in broad terms about their agencies’ environment and operations. Readings and class discussions stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving.  

Participants emerge with a clear understanding of advanced management theory, policy development, planning processes, and organizational behavior. Among the topics covered are diversity, political management, organizational change, managerial problem-solving, leadership communications, career planning, negotiation, the budgeting process, and media relations. They also develop an enhanced awareness of the management methods and resources necessary for fulfilling current or future responsibilities. Participants are encouraged to apply the concepts and issues presented within their own organizations. 

Upon registering to SMIP, attendees are offered free PERF memberships for the remainder of the calendar year and registration fee waivers for PERF’s next Annual Meeting. The extensive resources of PERF and SMIP are available to participants after the course. This commitment has helped make SMIP a national center for the education and training of the future leaders of policing. 

Enrollment is limited. To qualify for SMIP, you must be a senior manager in your agency (lieutenant or above, or professional civilian staff equivalent) with significant responsibility for major agency activities.  Agencies should consider sending only their best — the most promising and professional members — who will be committed to fully participating in the program. Those selected to attend should be the agency’s future leaders. Attendees should be problem-solvers, work on vital agency projects, and have a strong work ethic. A four-year college degree — or the accumulation of 120 credit hours — from an accredited college or university is required. 

There are no physical fitness requirements to attend SMIP; however, SMIP entails a lot of walking to and from classes, the dorm, and dining halls. SMIP also features a day at Outward Bound Professional on Cathleen Stone Island. This is conducted outside of the classroom and requires attendees to be active and on their feet for most of the day. 

SMIP is a very demanding, reading-intensive program that requires considerable commitment and hard work in class and after class through independent and group study assignments. Participants will be called upon in class to offer their perspectives on the issues presented in the assigned cases and readings. A lack of preparedness will result not only in the diminished success of the individual, but it can also impact the progress of the entire class. Keeping up with assignments and teamwork is essential. Because of the program's intensity and daily group study, all participants are required to reside on campus for the program's duration, except weekends. 

SMIP applications for the 2025 program will be accepted on the PERF website on October 1. SMIP tuition is set at $11,750. Tuition covers instruction, materials, planned events, lodging, and most meals throughout the program. A $550 credit card deposit is required to submit an online application. Applicants must also upload proof they meet SMIP’s education requirement. In the event an applicant is not accepted, the deposit will be promptly credited back to the card upon which the charge was made. Otherwise, deposits are non-refundable. If accepted, the balance of tuition is due and must be paid by check within 45 days of acceptance notification.    

Cancellations 
If an accepted applicant needs to cancel their registration, they must let PERF know in writing as soon as possible. SMIP seats are transferable, and it is preferable that the agency find a replacement rather than forfeit the seat. If an applicant needs to cancel and no qualified replacement can be found: 

  • Prior to 90 days of the start of the applicant’s session, PERF will issue a full tuition refund. 

  • Between 30–90 days of the start of the applicant’s session, PERF will issue a tuition refund, minus the $550 deposit. 

  • 30 days or less from the start of the applicant’s session, PERF will not be able to issue a tuition refund.* 

*PERF will consider each late cancellation on a case-by-case basis, especially in the event of an agency, health, or family emergency. 

Scholarships 
There will be SMIP scholarships again for the 2025 program. Scholarship awards are limited and will be based on needs and potential to agencies and individuals who qualify. Each scholarship will cover tuition ($11,750) and flights to/from Boston. 

Please read the criteria below to see if you or your agency qualify for a scholarship. 

  • The applicant’s agency must not have sent a member to SMIP within the last 5 years (since the 2019 program). 

  • The applicant must meet the basic requirements to attend SMIP (achieved the rank of lieutenant or above (or a civilian equivalent) and have a bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent of 120 credit hours)). 

  • The applicant must provide a one-page letter of recommendation from the head of their agency. If the applicant is a chief, then they must have a letter of recommendation from their city manager. 

  • The applicant must provide a brief professional bio, including professional goals, such as the desire to become a chief or a member of a command staff. 

  • The applicant must submit a brief memo describing a current professional challenge that they or their agency are facing and how SMIP would assist them in overcoming that challenge. 

  • The applicant must become a PERF member if they are not one already. 

  • After an initial review of applications, PERF will conduct phone interviews with scholarship finalists.  

Please send all application materials to Matt Harman at mharman@policeforum.org by Friday, November 8, 2024. 

 Questions should be directed to SMIP Program Manager Matt Harman at 202-454-8302 (direct) or [email protected], or Senior Principal Dan Alioto at 202-454-8337 (direct) or [email protected].

The Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) are not affiliated with Boston University. Although SMIP is scheduled to occur on the campus of Boston University, the use of University facilities and/or property does not constitute or imply the endorsement or support of SMIP or PERF by Boston University.