Today, sheriff deputies and personnel representing 30 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 essential for the next generation of public safety leaders. The Commanders Academy provides a comprehensive curriculum and offers programs on leadership skills, business and personal ethics, management training and other topics that relate to the law enforcement profession.

“The Commanders Academy, having graduated its fifth class, has been recognized as the premier course of executive study for mid to upper level criminal justice leaders,” said FSA President and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings. “This training program prepares commanders for senior leadership in 21st Century American policing.”

“Our sheriffs, along with their commanders, deputies, and staff are the best men and women in their profession. We are always training and improving, and the Commanders Academy is one of the reasons that Florida’s sheriffs set the bar for the nation,” said Steve Casey, executive director of the Florida Sheriffs Association.

In addition to successfully completing this two-week training course, Commanders Academy Class 5 also raised $17,054.64 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. The Florida Sheriffs Association would like to congratulate all 30 graduates of the 2017 Commanders Academy.

FSA Commanders Academy Class V:

• Lt. Paul Hinson, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain T. Chris Volz, Baker County Sheriff’s Office
• Watch Commander Marty Williams, Bay County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain George Konkel, Bradford County Sheriff’s Office
• Lieutenant Tammy Lyn McNeal, Broward County Sheriff’s Office
• District Commander Randal Whitney, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain Dave Vincent, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office
• Lieutenant Richard Glover, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
• Lieutenant Jose Vitali, DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office
• Commander Mark Jackson, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
• Commander Gerald M. Ditolla, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain Clifford E. Carroll, Jr., Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
• Chief Investigator Bobby Collins, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain Michael Raley, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office
• Assistant Chief Deloris Patterson, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
• Lieutenant James Dilimone, Lake County Sheriff’s Office
• Chief Steve Harrelson, Leon County Sheriff’s Office
• Major David Harper, Madison County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain Patrick Cassella, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain Brian Dotten, Marion County Sheriff’s Office
• Lieutenant Lynda Graham, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain Stephen Garrison, Orange County Sheriff’s Office
• Lieutenant Justin Wetherington, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
• Director Jennifer Crockett, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
• District Commander Chris Stallings, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain Scott Haines, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
• Captain Kevin McElyea, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
• Lieutenant Kelly Martin, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
• Lieutenant Troy Church, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office
• Bureau Chief John Moring, Walton County Sheriff’s Office

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

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The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of Florida’s Sheriffs, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 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 both established and continues to fund the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. The Florida Sheriffs Association 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 [url=http://www.flsheriffs.org]http://www.flsheriffs.org[/url].