George L. Piro, special agent in charge of the FBI Miami Division, announces the graduation of six South Florida law enforcement officers from the FBI National Academy Friday, December 16, at a ceremony held in Quantico, Virginia.

The officers are:

• Major Pedro Abut, Hallandale Beach Police Department
• Deputy Chief Shawn E. Backer, Coral Springs Police Department
• Captain Sean T. Brandenburg, Key West Police Department
• Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. DiMaggio, Broward Sheriff’s Office
• Major Victor M. London, Ft. Lauderdale Police Department
• Major Tony W. Rosa, Sunrise 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 October 3, 2016, 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.