MIAMI—Jeffrey B. Veltri, the special agent in charge of FBI Miami, announced the graduation of four South Florida law enforcement officers from the FBI National Academy, Session 290, at a ceremony held in Quantico, Virginia, today.

The officers are:

• Broward Sheriff’s Office—Captain Warnell Phillips;
• Fort Lauderdale Police Department—Major Steven Scelfo;
• Palm Beach County Schools Police Department—Deputy Chief Vanessa Snow;
• Sunrise Police Department—Lieutenant Brian Katz.

As FBI National Academy graduates, these officers enter a select group made up of less than one percent of the country’s law enforcement officers. They were hand-picked by their departments and, along with about 200 other officers, completed the 10-week course at the FBI training facility in Quantico, Virginia. Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training.

The FBI National Academy is dedicated to the improvement of law enforcement standards and has long been a benchmark for professional continuing education. Participants are drawn from every state in the union, from U.S. territories, and from over 150 partner nations. The 290th session consisted of men and women from 46 states and the District of Columbia, plus 24 countries. Police officers who attend the Academy return to their communities better prepared to meet criminal challenges.

The overall goal of the Academy is to support, promote, and enhance the personal and professional development of law enforcement leaders by preparing them for complex, dynamic, and contemporary challenges through innovative techniques, facilitating excellence in education and research, and forging partnerships throughout the world.

The academy was created in 1935 with 23 students in the first class. It has grown over the years to the current enrollment of about 1,000 students a year. The FBI National Academy is one of the premier law enforcement academies in the world.

For more information about the FBI National Academy: https://www.fbi.gov/services/training-academy/national-academy.