Police Lieutenant Honored for Leadership, Academic Excellence

Published on June 29, 2026

West Palm Beach Police Lieutenant Honored for Leadership, Academic Excellence

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (June 29, 2026) — West Palm Beach Police Department Lt. Sterling Kihei has been recognized with the Phillip Collum Award for Leadership and Academics through the University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership (MS-LEPSL) program.

The award recognizes Lt. Kihei’s commitment to leadership development, academic achievement, and advancing the future of public safety.

The MS-LEPSL program, recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best online criminal justice master’s programs, is designed specifically for law enforcement and public safety professionals. The program focuses on developing practical leadership skills in areas including communication, organizational change, technology, community engagement, budgeting and data-driven decision-making.

“Investing in leadership development is an important part of strengthening our organization and preparing our department for continued success,” said West Palm Beach Police Department Deputy Chief Anthony Shearer. “Lt. Kihei’s commitment to professional growth is a reflection of the culture we continue to build, one focused on developing our people, creating opportunities for advancement, and ensuring we are prepared to provide the highest level of service to our community.”

The MS-LEPSL curriculum prepares current and future leaders to effectively manage change, strengthen community partnerships, and lead with purpose.

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Rachel Leitão

Public Information Officer

pdpio@wpb.org