Law enforcement officials from Citrus, Lake, Marion, and Sarasota counties’ sheriff’s offices participated in program that prepares them for leadership roles
Officers and officials from four Florida law enforcement agencies, who make up the 32nd cohort of Saint Leo University’s Command Officer Management Program: Executive Leadership Institute, received their certificates for completing the program on Wednesday, April 9.
A graduation ceremony was held at the Tavares Pavilion on the Lake in Tavares, FL. This cohort was hosted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell was the keynote speaker for the event.
Corporal Vincent Necco of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, served as the class president and also addressed his classmates and those celebrating the 32nd cohort.
Law enforcement officials from the Citrus, Lake, Marion, and Sarasota counties participated in the program, offered by Saint Leo’s Institute for Excellence in Criminal Justice Administration along with the Department of Public Safety Administration. In addition to Lake County’s Grinnell, Citrus County Sheriff David Vincent, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, and Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman were recognized by Dr. Susan Kinsella, vice president of Academic Affairs, for furthering the education of members of their agencies.
Hoffman also is an alumnus of Saint Leo, having earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology in 1994 and an associate degree in 1993.
Saint Leo University is known as a leader in criminal justice and public safety education, with many graduates heading agencies throughout Florida and the United States. Building on that success, the university offers the Command Officer Management Program: Executive Leadership Institute to make leadership training accessible to sheriff’s offices, police departments, corrections offices, and other organizations.
Graduates of the program receive a Credly digital badge through the Saint Leo Skills Academy.
Class of XXXII graduates include:
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office: Sergeant Thomas Dowling
Lake County Sheriff’s Office: Corporal Matthew Adams, Sergeant Sandra Chessher, Corporal Timothy Cortes, Corporal David Evans, Corporal James Findley, Corporal Vincent Necco, Sergeant Christopher Robertson, Corporal Adam Tytler, and Sergeant Weston Pau
Marion County Sheriff’s Office: Sergeant Billy Burleson, Sergeant Alan Drake, Sergeant Richard Kelly, and Sergeant Rick Palmateer
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office: Manager Deborah Bussin, Lieutenant Stephanie Knapek, Lieutenant Chris Schale, and Supervisor Kristen Williams
For More Information
Those interested in participating or hosting Saint Leo University’s Command Officer Management Program: Executive Leadership Institute may contact Brenda “Nikki” Heister at brenda.heister@saintleo.edu.