Three local law enforcement supervisors are returning to their departments with enhanced leadership training after graduating from one of Ohio’s premier professional development programs for first-line supervisors.
Bellefontaine Police Department Sergeants Aaron Long and Andrew Purk, along with Urbana Police Division Sergeant Seth Lingrell, recently completed the Supervisor Training and Education Program (STEP), a leadership development course sponsored by the Law Enforcement Foundation in partnership with the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.
The program is designed to help newly promoted officers successfully transition from patrol officer to supervisor—a shift widely recognized as one of the most challenging milestones in a law enforcement career. Rather than focusing solely on carrying out police work themselves, new supervisors must learn to lead, mentor, evaluate, and hold other officers accountable while ensuring their agencies operate effectively.
STEP was established in 2004 after police chiefs across Ohio identified a need for specialized training to help first-line supervisors navigate the challenges of promotion. The program aims to accelerate the development of new supervisors during their critical first months in leadership while reducing organizational risk and improving service to the communities they protect.
The comprehensive curriculum consists of 21 instructional modules covering a wide range of supervisory responsibilities. Topics include leadership strategies, transitioning into a supervisory role, creating an ethical workplace, developing and mentoring subordinates, handling problematic employees, effective listening and communication, report writing, administrative responsibilities, performance management, conflict resolution, risk management, media relations, critical incident management, patrol operations, supervisory responses to vehicle pursuits, foot pursuits and domestic violence calls, as well as practical case studies and team presentations. Participants also complete a First-Line Supervisor 360 Assessment, providing feedback designed to strengthen their leadership skills.
Since the program began more than two decades ago, more than 1,100 Ohio first-line supervisors have completed STEP, making it one of the state’s most established leadership development programs for law enforcement professionals.
The 35th STEP class graduated 41 supervisors representing 30 law enforcement agencies from across Ohio.
The Bellefontaine Police Department recognized Sergeants Aaron Long and Andrew Purk following their graduation, noting the accomplishment as an important step in their continued professional development and leadership within the department.
For the Urbana Police Division, Police Chief Josh Jacobs attended the graduation ceremony alongside Sergeant Seth Lingrell.
Lingrell is a graduate of Urbana High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He joined the Urbana Police Division in 2018 and was promoted to sergeant in June 2025. He currently oversees evening shift patrol operations for the department.
Beyond preparing officers for their current supervisory responsibilities, STEP serves as the first level in Ohio’s broader leadership development continuum, providing a foundation for future command staff members and police chiefs. Organizers say the program equips supervisors with the skills needed to build stronger teams, improve accountability, enhance decision-making and ultimately provide more effective public safety services to the communities they serve.
