Leatherman Neal, LLC

In 2000, two remarkable individuals met to establish a college degree completion program for public safety officers. As a result of that meeting, the Public Safety University program was established and a dynamic partnership came to life. When they first met, Dr. Leatherman was the Academic Director of Human Resource Management for the University of Richmond, and Captain Steve Neal (Ret.) worked for a large Virginia law enforcement agency.

These two men bring to the table an unusual set of skills. Dr. Dick, as his students call him, has a long and successful history of teaching quality workshops and courses as well as creating valid and reliable assessments. Captain Neal has over 29 years of experience in law enforcement with deep insight into the culture of public safety.

In addition to their complimentary experiences, as a team they also bring an unusual combination of personalities. Dr. Dick is a planner, writer, and action-oriented individual. He is an "aim, ready, fire" kind of guy, off and running to "make it happen." Captain Neal, laid back and easy going, is a deep thinker, a critical analyst, and a law-enforcement sage with remarkable insight into the human condition. These two men have become fast friends and business partners.

Leatherman and Neal's unique set of skills enables them to create and deliver extraordinary products designed specifically for public safety agencies. Samplings of the products offered by this astounding organization include:

Law Enforcement Applicant Assessment: This questionnaire is designed to be administered to public safety applicants to aid in making more effective selection decisions. It helps match the values and beliefs of the applicant to the culture of your agency. As a result, it assists your agency in selecting those candidates that are most likely to stay, reducing the huge financial losses that accrue with turnover.

Leadership Seminars: These seminars are designed to invigorate your leaders, assist them in being more effective in motivating their direct reports, and help the agency navigate the rough waters of our economic times. These participative workshops cover such subjects as The Foundations of Leadership, Coaching, Counseling, Mentoring, Ethics, etc.

Promotional Assessment Center: Leatherman-Neal will videotape multiple assessment techniques to capture performance during exercises and scenarios that simulate the most important tasks of the target job(s). Candidates for promotion have an opportunity to demonstrate important skills that are realistic and relevant to the real duties and responsibilities that they will face as law enforcement supervisors.

Coaching: Growth and development from quality coaching can help an officer reach their full potential. We also offer live interview sessions that will help officers sharpen the skills that they need to improve their chances of employment and/or advancement.