ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Yes, every chief of police in Alabama has to do it. Like students just about everywhere, they have to listen to lectures and take tests.

Sounds boring, right?

Well, there is an exception to every rule, and Brad Kendrick, chief of the Robertsdale police department is one of them. He’s been making the trip to Dothan, Jacksonville and Florence for classes for a while now.

Recently, his hard work was rewarded when he received a “Level 4” certificate, the highest level currently possible, from the Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program, sponsored by the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police. Kendrick added that participation in the program is mandatory for all chiefs of police in Alabama.

“I began my journey towards this certification in 2003 after becoming Chief. I achieve the first level certification in 2004, second in 2006, third in 2007 and fourth in 2008,” Kendrick said in an e-mail.

“The Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police has two conferences a year. The conferences last three days with training two of the days. At the conferences, Chiefs can earn 12 hours. The Universities involved in the

CLEEP training sponsors three to four classes per year. The classes are held in North Alabama and Dothan and are two day classes. Chiefs can earn 16 hours for attending these classes. After each class a test is given and chiefs must pass in order to receive credit,” continued Kendrick.

Earning the credits took a little juggling between home and work.

“I’d head up on Wednesday afternoon, and classes would run Thursdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,, and afterward, you’d take a test,” said Kendrick. “On Friday, they’d try to get you out a little earlier, but classes would begin at 8 a.m. and run to 5 p.m. and you’d take a test then. I’d come home on Friday night.”

This was hard on Kendrick’s wife Samantha and their children Gabrielle, and Nathaniel. But, occasionally, there were some rewards.

“I was only gone five times a year, and sometimes I could take my family with me on sort of a mini-vacation,” said Kendrick. “We’d take my private vehicle and they would go sight-seeing while I was in class.”

Kendrick added that he was fortunate to have good help back at the station to keeps things ticking along while he was gone.

“I have been blessed. Brian (Assistant Chief Brian Middleton) and I have been together for a long time.”

The classes also had “coach” Kendrick missing some practices and games. That was hard.

“I enjoy working with children and teaching them something,” said Kendrick. His children play baseball, football and softball. Missing games was hard on him.

“You only have them for a little while,” said Kendrick.

But, for all the disruptions to his home and work life, Kendrick is glad he took the classes and hopes the AACP approves even more levels of certification.

“One of the best classes I took dealt with he different generations in the workforce,” said Kendrick. “Understanding how members of Generation X is an asset.”