Sheriff deputies and personnel representing 29 Florida sheriffs’ offices graduated from the Florida Sheriffs Association’s prestigious Commanders Academy. The Commanders Academy is an exceptionally informative and educational experience that is vital for public safety leaders of the next generation. The Commanders Academy has become recognized as the premier course of executive study for mid to upper-level criminal justice leaders.

The core curriculum focuses on leadership, ethics, discipline, and additional subject matter areas related to upper-level leadership in law enforcement while the remaining curriculum is adjusted according to emerging trends and issues that have an impact on our sheriffs and recent high-profile events. Each topic is threaded with issues that are unique to the culture of the Office of Sheriff. Throughout the academy the class hear from more than 50 presenters and panelists, many of them were sheriffs. No other criminal justice program in the state provides this level of executive training.

“We would like to offer congratulations to this year’s graduates who are now even better leaders due to their work at the tenth Commanders Academy class,” said FSA President and Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum. “The Commanders Academy is recognized as a revered course study program for criminal justice professionals and the training prepares commanders to be most effective in leading modern policing.”

Steve Casey, executive director of the Florida Sheriffs Association, said, “Florida’s Sheriffs offices are consistently looked to as the model example of protecting, leading, and uniting. With the continuous training and innovative curriculum taught through the Commanders Academy, we can maintain this standard of excellence. We are proud to know our sheriffs and their commanders, deputies, and staff set the bar to unthinkable heights.”

In addition to successfully completing this two-week training course, Commanders Academy Class 10 also raised more than $13,000.00 for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. This generous donation will help support the mission of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches in preventing delinquency and to develop lawful, resilient, and productive citizens.

• Lieutenant Chris Coram Bay County
• Lieutenant Jonathan Waterhouse, Charlotte County
• Chief Tina Chatmon, Clay County
• Lieutenant Michael Allen, Collier County
• Lieutenant Martin Lee, Columbia County
• Chief Jonathan Welker, Flagler County
• Lieutenant Gabriel Lockley, Franklin County
• Lieutenant Anglie Holmes, Gadsden County
• Lieutenant Joseph McKire, Hamilton County
• Captain David Drake, Hardee County
• Lieutenant John Drewal, Hernando County
• Captain James McGann, Highlands County
• Lieutenant Daniel Morris, Holmes County
• Captain Patrick White, Indian River County
• Director Lawrence Schmitt, Jacksonville
• Major Thomas Porter, Manatee County
• Lieutenant Matthew McNeely, Marion County
• Captain Juan Villalba, Miami-Dade
• Captain Jeremy Carter, Nassau County
• Lieutenant Chris Hans, Okeechobee County
• Lieutenant Joseph Fulghum, Okaloosa County
• Captain Kevin McGraw, Polk County
• Lieutenant David Adkisson, Putman County
• Captain Jason Erlemann, Santa Rosa County
• Colonel Brian Woodring, Sarasota County
• Captain Gina Deeson, Taylor County
• Captain Tres Edenfield, St. Johns County
• Lieutenant David King, Volusia County
• Major Ray Johnson, Wakulla County

For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Commanders Academy, visit: www.flsheriffs.org/training/commanders-academy.

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About Florida Sheriffs Association
The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,000 business leaders and 100,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has steadfastly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation. For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit www.flsheriffs.org.