Hello, 

I need guidance and I was hoping people in the CPM profession would be able to assist me with making a discussion.

I am currently in Law Enforcement here in New Jersey and would like to take the CPM course.  Here in NJ there are two CPM courses offered but according to the website both courses are taught the same course material.

One is CPM and the Second,is CPM for Law & Public Safety.
 
 ++Law & Public Safety program is taught by active and retired law enforcement.++

My question is the following:  Does it matter which course I take?  I am not worried about my current career in Law Enforcement. I am thinking about after I retire and employment options.  Should I take the NON law enforcement course.  Or does it not matter just as long as I have the CPM?  I don't want someone looking at my CPM and say he took the CPM for Law and Public Safety but I am going for a job outside Law Enforcement.

I thank you for your time and guidance.

John

http://webapps.dop.state.nj.us/hrdi/docs/trainingPrograms/certificatePrograms/cpm123.htm

From the above website:

The Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program I, II, III 
 
CPM is part of a national effort to develop effective management skills through training and education of supervisors and managers in State and local government, including those in the law and public safety community.

There are two CPM Levels I-III programs (CPM I-III and CPM I-III Law & Public Safety) in New Jersey. The content of the programs is identical. The only difference is that the Law & Public Safety program is taught by active and retired law enforcement officers and although it is specifically targeted at police, firefighters, investigators, and other public safety and law enforcement personnel in state, county, and municipal government, civilian personnel are welcome and encouraged to register for a Law & Public Safety class if it is more conducive to their schedule. Likewise, public safety and law enforcement personnel are welcome and encouraged to register for a CPM Levels I-III class for the same reason.

In New Jersey, the CPM Program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Personnel's Human Resource Development Institute. The mission of the program is to enable participants to become more effective, efficient and ethical organizational managers.

The CPM program is divided into six levels. The first three levels, which involve a total of 93 program hours (15 ½ days), focus on the critical techniques of team management with an emphasis upon practical applications. Levels I-III have been approved by the American Council on Education (ACE) for a recommendation of six undergraduate credits. (See list of topics)

Successful completion of the first three levels leads to a Certificate in Supervisory Management (CSM). In order to receive this certificate, participants are required to:
Attend a minimum of four out of five classes for each of the three levels.
Day 1 attendance is Mandatory;
Complete a brief written and oral summary of a field practicum for each of the three levels;
Complete a multi-phased field application project over the course of the program;
Pass a final examination;
Submit verification of an additional 30 elective hours of management/supervisory training or education.
 
Target Populations:

Civilian and law and public safety supervisors or managers with two or more years of supervisory experience.