Through September of 2013 to March of this year, Davis took classes to earn the Law Enforcement Management Institute Certificate.

The classes ranged from policies and procedures to media relations and dealing with problem employees, Davis said Thursday. “It helps me be a better leader and assist the chief in some of his administrative duties.”

In a lieutenant's capacity, the workload is often a 50-50 split between administrative duties and patrolling, he said.

One of the biggest things he took from classes was learning to do police budgets. “You have to learn budgets and how budgets operate.”

For the department, the lieutenant's project — a career development plan — will be presented to the town board for adoption, Chief Mark Macon said. “It identifies steps in pay grade and merit pay. It was well put together.”

In doing the project, Davis developed guidelines that deal with what classes are needed for promotion to each level. “It's a plan to influence officers to further their education.”

Macon said the plan is good for officer retention and recruitment. “I was impressed with how detailed it was, that it would actively serve a purpose in our agency.”

The classes are important to the lieutenant's own law enforcement career as one day the Rich Square native, who has been in the Weldon Police Department for nearly 11 years, would like to be a police chief, whether in Weldon or elsewhere.

“Chris has leadership abilities,” Macon said. “He has always been a great employee. I see great things happening in his future.”

Davis took night classes to earn his associates degree in criminal justice and at some point would like to start work on a bachelors degree. “I would recommend this course to law enforcement personnel who are interested in the administrative side of this profession.”