Education

Education has been a cornerstone of my personal and professional development, shaping my leadership, decision-making, and commitment to service. Throughout my career, I have relied on continuous learning, training, and professional education to stay current with best practices in law enforcement and public safety. Giving back through teaching and instruction has been equally important to me—I believe sharing knowledge strengthens our agency and our community. Whether mentoring new deputies, providing specialized training, or engaging with schools and community groups, I am committed to investing in education as a force multiplier for professionalism, accountability, and community trust.

Sheriff Spence training at Texas A&M for Enhanced All-Hazards Emergency Management

281st Sessions of the FBI National Academy

The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads for demonstrated leadership.

The 10-week program—which provides coursework in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science—serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.

Master of Public Administration - UW Oshkosh

The Department of Public Administration provides graduate students with an understanding of the field of public administration and the leadership skills required for public service.

Coursework:

Administrative Law
Human Resources Management in the Public Sector
Leadership and Ethics
Public Policy Analysis
Public Budgeting and Financial Management

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Seal

Bachelor of Science - Sociology with minors in Criminal Justice and Business Administration

Sociology is the study of human groups and how the groups influences social behavior. The field is both a science and a philosophy, seeking to answer questions about human behavior through the use of scientific methods. Sociology gives us new and important knowledge about the social world.

Sheriff Spence at the FBI Training Center

Sheriff Spence receiving a Daily Consitutional during a Badger Sheriff's Conference

Leadership in Police Organizations

The LPO course explores leadership at different levels in the organization: leading individuals, leading groups, and leading organizations. The course teaches students about these levels of leadership using the following methods:

Applied learning
Translation of theory to practice
Practical leadership strategies

Additional Leadership Training

Badger State Sheriff's Ethical Leadership
FOP - Leadership Matters
First Line Supervisory Training
Training and Risk Mitigation for SWAT
SWAT Team Leader Development

Specialized Training

Investigating Use of Force for Supervisor
Identifying Deceptive Behavior
Child Forensic Interviewing
Basic Death Investigation
Officer-Involved Death Investigation
Sexual Assault Best Practices
FBI Hostage (Crisis) Negotiations
Active Shooter Incident Management
Field Training Officer

Sheriff Spence after graduating from the Executive Development Institute