Today, sheriff deputies and personnel representing 31 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 news media relations 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. Each class heard from over 60 presenters and panelists, many of which were sheriffs. No other criminal justice program in the state provides this level of executive training.

“Having graduated its ninth class, the Commanders Academy is recognized as a revered course study program for criminal justice leaders,” said FSA President and Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter. “This training program prepares commanders to be the most effective in leading modern policing.”

Steve Casey, executive director of the Florida Sheriffs Association, said, “With the continuous training and innovative curriculum taught through the Commanders Academy, sheriffs’ offices in Florida are consistently looked to as the model example of protecting, leading and uniting. Our sheriffs and their commanders, deputies, and staff set the bar for the rest of the nation.”

In addition to successfully completing this two-week training course, Commanders Academy Class 9 also raised more than $50,000.00 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.

FSA Commanders Academy Class IX:

• Lieutenant James Beck, Alachua County
• Lieutenant James Messer, Baker County
• Lieutenant Jeffrey Bennett, Bay County
• Captain Dawn McKinley, Bradford County
• Commander Linda Moros, Brevard County
• Major Timothy C. Irvin, II, Broward County
• Captain Brian Spiddle, Citrus County
• Lieutenant Craig DeMange, Collier County
• Sergeant Randall S. Harrison, Columbia County
• Lieutenant Robert Woods, DeSoto County
• Lieutenant Charles Thomas Greer IV, Escambia County
• Commander Glenn Davis, Flagler County
• Lieutenant Angela Millender, Franklin County
• Lieutenant Todd Holley, Gilchrist County
• Lieutenant Scotty Douglas, Gilchrist County
• Comptroller Terri McClanahan, Hernando County
• Lieutenant Wiley Meggs, Leon County
• Captain Kathryn Estabrook, Manatee County
• Captain Brian Spivey, Marion County
• Lieutenant Daniel Mendoza, Miami-Dade County
• Lieutenant Jeffrey Stull, Jr., Nassau County
• Captain Mary R. Huggins, Orange County
• Lieutenant Anthony Allaire, Polk County
• Lieutenant Scott Surrency, Putnam County
• Captain Ryan Brown, Sarasota County
• Lieutenant Stacy Heath, Seminole County
• Commander Timothy Burres, St. Johns County
• Lieutenant Petri Hayes, St. Lucie County
• Sergeant Russel Lee Willis, Suwannee County
• Captain Jimmy Cash, Taylor County
• Lieutenant Robert J. Rahn, Volusia County
• Captain Lindsay Maxwell, Wakulla County

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

# # #

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.