Intelligence Command Course

About the Program

Police leaders operating in complex, multi-agency security intelligence environments require leadership capabilities that extend beyond traditional command training and conventional criminal intelligence functions. The Intelligence Command Course is designed for leaders with responsibility for security intelligence-driven decision-making, where threats are evolving, information is incomplete, and consequences are operational, legal, and reputational. Informed through targeted engagement with subject-matter experts and executive leaders across municipal, provincial, and federal, and public sector agencies within the security intelligence community, the course focuses on leadership in prevention-oriented, grey-zone, and multi-jurisdictional contexts. It strengthens participants' ability to assess risk, exercise judgement under pressure, and lead effectively across organizational boundaries, while providing a senior-level peer environment that supports shared standards and a more consistent approach to security intelligence leadership across Ontario agencies.

Offered by the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), in collaboration with the Hate Crime and Extremism Investigative Team (HCEIT), delivered in partnership with Telfer Executive Programs.

Who Should Attend?

The program is intended for senior police leaders and professionals whose roles involve command, senior supervisory, or strategic decision-making responsibilities within security intelligence and related operational environments. Participants are expected to bring significant leadership experience and accountability for intelligence-informed decisions in complex, high-risk, and multi-agency contexts. In exceptional circumstances, consideration may be given to highly experienced officers or non-sworn professionals, such as intelligence analysts, where their role, expertise, and responsibilities align closely with the command-level focus and objectives of the course. Participants must apply to the program; applicants will be selected following a review process conducted by a program selection committee once all applications have been received.

Program Architecture

• Orientation
  • 2 hour virtual session
• Day 1: Intelligence and Command Context
  • Applying intelligence, command responsibility, grey-zone decisions, and multi-agency coordination
• Day 2: Communicating and Briefing
  • Operational intelligence briefings, command communication, and public communication during incidents
• Day 3: Ethical Decision-Making and Accountability
  • Risk-based decision-making frameworks, influencing using intelligence, oversight, accountability, and inquiry readiness
• Day 4: Coordination and Intelligence Operations
  • Intelligence cell frameworks, incident management case study, and preparation for simulation exercise
• Day 5: Simulation and Application
  • Live crisis simulation at the IBM–uOttawa Cyber Range, simulation debrief, presentation of capstone projects, and program conclusion

Program Facilitators

Jennifer Irish

Program Co-Director

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Jennifer Irish

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Program Co-Director

Jennifer Irish is an accomplished former Canadian diplomat and senior international and national security executive, currently serving as a Program Director at Telfer Executive Programs, where she leads its security and intelligence programming. She is the Founding Director of uOttawa’s Information Integrity Lab, advancing the understanding, analysis and mitigation of disinformation, misinformation and foreign influence operations. 

Over a distinguished 36-year career in Canada’s foreign service and security community, Ms. Irish served in five international postings and held senior roles addressing national and international security, foreign affairs, humanitarian crises, and climate change. She further honed her expertise leading intelligence assessment and geostrategic analysis as Director General of the Integrated Threat Assessment Centre and as Director of Operations at the Intelligence Assessment Secretariat in the Privy Council Office, providing strategic intelligence to senior decision-makers.

She brings that extensive experience to her training, facilitation, and consulting — helping organizations strengthen resilience, sharpen risk and crisis communications, and build effective alliances in a complex and contested information and geostrategic environment.

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Lisa Ducharme

Program Co-Director

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Lisa Ducharme

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Program Co-Director

Lisa Ducharme is a former senior government executive with over 36 years of experience in the national security, intelligence, defence, and public safety domains.   

She served in the Canadian Armed Forces before accepting progressively senior leadership positions at the Communications Security Establishment, the Department of National Defence, Public Safety Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  Most recently, she was the Director of Operations and Acting Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Intelligence Assessments at the Privy Council Office, where she led the development of strategic assessments for the most senior levels of government, which included the Prime Minister and the National Security Council. 

Lisa has also chaired interdepartmental governance committees and international intelligence forums.  She was the Canadian chair for several Five Eyes intelligence working groups and led Canada’s delegation to the 2024 Five Eyes Heads of Assessment Conference. 

Her expertise includes crisis operations leadership, national-level intelligence program management, and organizational transformation.  She has received numerous awards throughout her career, which includes three DND/CAF Commander’s Commendations, a CSE Director’s Award, and an RCMP unit citation.  

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Management degree and is a graduate of the Canadian Security and Intelligence Leadership Program.  She teaches intelligence tradecraft at the uOttawa Professional Development Institute and co-directs the Executive Security and Intelligence Leadership Certificate Program at Telfer Executive Programs. 

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