Sergeant Ryan Linderson is a seventeen-year veteran of the New London (CT) Police Department and is currently assigned to the Investigative Division as Detective Sergeant. Sergeant Linderson’s areas of professional interest include DWI Enforcement, Instructor Development, Arrest and Control and the training of the next generation of Police Officers. He has served as an Instructor, Field Training Officer and as a member of the Crisis Intervention Team. Sergeant Linderson completed the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy in April 2022, and MS-LEPSL in May 2024.
What motivated you to be a LEPSL ambassador?
I got a lot out of the program and I think it is a superior option for those in Law Enforcement who want to pursue higher education.
Why did you choose the LEPSL program? What made LEPSL stand out in comparison to other schools/programs?
I completed the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy and became aware of the partnership with USD. After researching other options I decided LESPL was the best option for me. It aligns with my career goals.
What were your concerns about starting a graduate program?
My main concerns were time and money. The flexibility offered by the completely online nature of LEPSL made it ideal for my busy schedule. The tuition was inline with what I expected to spend.
How did the LEPSL program help you achieve your career goals?
LEPSL exposed me to various parts of the administration part of LE I hadn’t had to deal with at this point in my career. I feel it gave me a glimpse of what is to come in my future and prepared me for it. It also helped me organize my thoughts so I have a more solid footing in my leadership philosophy.
What advice would you share with prospective LEPSL applicants?
My advice would be if you’re thinking about pursuing higher education; just do it. You won’t regret it. This is your career, and one only lives once. Make the most of it.
What was your favorite part of the LEPSL program?
My favorite part of the program was the discussion boards. Mainly because it exposed me to a variety of fellow LE professionals and their opinions and experiences. One aspect that may be slightly unique for me, I am in Connecticut in an agency of 70 sworn, and the majority of my fellow classmates were from across the country. I learned from classmates who work and live in different areas of the country and all different department sizes.
What were you balancing while participating in the LEPSL program?
Obviously, my professional life is busy. I am currently assigned as Detective Sergeant so I am on call 24/7. I needed to be able to complete my classwork whenever I could. Of course, I also had my personal and family life responsibilities.
How did you stay motivated throughout the program in the face of competing priorities in your life?
I would take it one assignment at a time. Focusing on the feeling of accomplishment I knew I would feel once finished was a strategy I used as well. Take it one step at a time.
What year did you graduate from the LEPSL program?
2024