JACKSONVILLE– The Jacksonville Police Department says Chief Marcus Wood is among 35 participants in this year’s Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy.
The selective, nine-month program operates through the Alabama Fire College. In addition, its curriculum strengthens management and strategic skills among leaders throughout Alabama’s public safety community.
Before selecting each class, academy officials grade applicants under a strict points system. This year’s group includes police and fire chiefs, emergency medical service leaders, emergency management directors, and other public safety professionals.
Previously, Wood served as president of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police during 2024-25. He attended the academy’s opening meeting in Tuscaloosa in early September.
The academy will continue meeting in several Alabama cities through the spring. Coursework includes ethics, human resources, organizational culture, budgeting, media relations, and joint emergency operations.
Wood said the program also allows participants to meet and collaborate with leaders across different public safety disciplines.
For example, he pointed to the 2018 tornado that struck Jacksonville and the Jacksonville State University campus. Wood said leaders should establish strong working relationships before a disaster occurs.
“It’s not the time, when that’s happening, to start building relationships; you want to do that well beforehand,” Wood said. “We’ll build those relationships over the next nine months.”
Wood also stressed the importance of continued professional development, saying, “Leaders shouldn’t let their training get stale.”
In August, Jacksonville Police completed its first free firearms safety course for community members.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville Mayor Mark Jones praised Wood’s professional growth and commitment to his officers and the community.
“Chief Wood has been key in making our community safe by making proactive choices,” Jones said. “We appreciate the effort he gives to his work, his officers and the residents of Jacksonville every day.”
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