Arizona Law Enforcement Officers To Attend FBI’s National Academy

PHOENIX, AZ—FBI Special Agent in Charge John E. Lewis, Phoenix Division, announced today that six Arizona law enforcement officers will be attending the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on January 10, 2009. The National Academy is an eleven week comprehensive program of advanced professional instruction with emphasis on leadership development. The National Academy curriculum consists of courses relating to Police Management, Behavioral Science, Criminal Law, Law Enforcement Communication Arts, Forensic Science and Health/Fitness. There are approximately twenty Arizona law enforcement officers who are selected annually to attend the FBI’s National Academy.

The importance of professional preparation for the practice of law enforcement cannot be underestimated. Training, in the words of the late Director of the FBI and founder of the National Academy, J. Edgar Hoover, is “truly indispensable to good law enforcement.” The impressive number of graduates who have achieved top executive positions in their respective agencies is a continuing source of pride to the National Academy.

The following Arizona law enforcement officers will be attending the 236 th Session of the National Academy:

• Lieutenant (Lt.) Donald Garvin, Payson Police Department: Lt. Garvin started as a Patrol Officer with the Payson Police Department in 1993. He became Sergeant for the department in 2002 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2008, where he oversees the Detective and Patrol Divisions to include the Special Response Team.
• Lieutenant (Lt) Ken Koch, Flagstaff Police Department: Lt. Koch began his career with the Flagstaff Police Department in 1989. He became a Patrol Sergeant in 1998 and was promoted to Detective Sergeant in 2002. Then in 2006, he became the Patrol Lieutenant and is presently the Lieutenant of Investigations.
• Detective Sergeant Joseph Kohler, Show Low Police Department: Detective Sergeant Joseph Kohler was a Special Agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service from 1990 to 1993. He worked for the Mesa Police Department for approximately one year before joining the Show Low Police Department in 1995. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona.
• Commander Scott Lekan, Peoria Police Department: Commander Lekan was an Officer and Sergeant with the Glendale Police Department from 1990 to 2002. He became a Lieutenant in 2002 and was promoted to Commander in 2006. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northern Arizona University and an MBA from California Pacific University.
• Lieutenant (Lt.) David McBride, Yuma County Sheriff’s Office: Lt. David McBride served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1997. He immediately became a Yuma County Sheriff’s Reserve Officer and a Motor Deputy in 2000. In May of 2002, he was promoted to Sergeant and in 2004 became a Lieutenant.
• Captain Oscar Miranda, Pima County Sheriff’s Office: Captain Oscar Miranda entered on duty with the Sheriff’s Office in 1974. He became a Sergeant in 1983, a Lieutenant in 1989, and was promoted to Captain in 2006. Captain Miranda is presently assigned to the Operations Bureau. He has a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Arizona and a Masters of Education from Northern Arizona University.