A Vernon officer was among 254 officers who were members of the 295th FBO Academy session.
VERNON, CT — Lt. Robert Marra, a 19-year veteran of the Vernon Police Department, graduated Sept. 4 from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
Marra was among 254 law enforcement officers from 49 states, the District of Columbia and 20 nations who were members of the 295th session of the national academy.
Marra completed a 10-week professional development course that focused on leadership, behavioral science, communications, investigative techniques, and physical fitness. To be admitted to an
academy class, an officer must hold the rank of lieutenant or higher and have earned a reputation for professional integrity. The average attendee has 21 years of experience.
Vernon Police Chief Marc Petruzzi and former chiefs John Kelley and James L. Kenny are FBI National Academy graduates.
“Leadership development is an essential element of any successful organization,” Petruzzi said. “By attending the preeminent police leadership training program in the county, if not the world, Lt. Marra will bring back to the Vernon Police Department a wealth of knowledge and
experience that will benefit his fellow officers and community, and have a positive impact on department operations and administration.”
Marra said his experience and the knowledge he gained at the FBI National Academy are without equal.
“I learned from world-class instructors and was able to meet and exchange ideas with police leaders from across the country and world who face the same challenges we face here in Vernon,” he said. “These lessons and perspectives will help me in my work as leader in the department, and ultimately benefit our officers and Vernon. I also gained a network of professionals I can reach out to for advice.”
Marra now serves as head of the detective bureau and the police department’s public information officer. His previous assignments include patrol lieutenant, patrol sergeant, East Central Narcotics Taskforce investigator, community police officer and patrol officer.
Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne congratulated Marra on his achievement and said the entire department will benefit from what he has learned.
“Continual training and professional development is an essential part of law enforcement and it is great for our community to have Rob complete the premier training opportunity in the nation,” Champagne said.
FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training and many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields.
Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits many of the courses offered. A total of 56,434 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy takes place at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.