MIAMI—George L. Piro, special agent in charge of the FBI Miami Division, announces the graduation of five South Florida law enforcement officers from the FBI National Academy, Session #275, today at a ceremony held in Quantico, Virginia.

The officers are:

• Captain Todd F. Baer, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office;
• Major Jeffrey S. Devlin, Hollywood Police Department;
• Major Francisco Fernandez, Miami Police Department;
• Major Brian S. Lawrence, Coral Gables Police Department;
• Major Jesus L. Ramirez, Miami-Dade Police Department.

As FBI National Academy graduates, these officers enter into 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 250 other officers, completed the 10-week course, which began on January 7th, 2019, at the FBI training facility in Quantico, Virginia. The course included instruction in law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism/terrorist mindsets, leadership development, communication, and health/fitness.

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. 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 over 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