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Bellevue Police Commander Completes "Leadership Bellevue"

Every year the Bellevue Chamber holds a nine-month long leadership training program designed to "identify, educate and inspire leaders" to serve the city. The most recent class to graduate from the program, on November 12th, included BPD's Lt Mark Elbert. The program requires participants to address the challenges Bellevue is dealing with and tests their ability to accept responsibility for providing necessary leadership.

Lisa Rybar is a member of the Board of Directors for Bellevue's Chamber of Commerce and works in the mayor's office. She completed the Leadership Bellevue program in 2004 and said even though she's lived in Bellevue all her life, she not only learned a lot about the city but became an ambassador for her community as a result of participating. She added that having Lt Elbert complete the training enhanced the overall program, "he's just such a positive image for the citizens of Bellevue to see and he represents the police department so well. I won't be surprised to see him in even bigger leadership positions in the future." Rybar added that this is the first time a police officer completed the program in the 20 years it's been offered.

Lt Elbert said he learned a lot from the program, and added "I enjoyed associating with the business leaders and it really had a positive impact on my outlook for the city." Fifteen other Bellevue professionals finished the program as well. Lt Elbert is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, and is commander of the department's Professional Standards Bureau.

Photo: Click to enlarge. Lt Mark Elbert appears on far right, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, center