Last Dec. 8, Dearborn Police Department Captain Vincent Belloli, Commanding Officer of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team and Executive Officer of the Patrol Division, graduated from the 284^th session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy in Quantico, VA.

The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 25 countries, 48 states, and the District of Columbia, five military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations. Nationally, fewer than one percent of police officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

Captain Belloli is the first Dearborn Police Officer to attend the National Academy since former Chief of Police Greg Guibord graduated from the 180^th session in 1995.

The FBI National Academy offers 11 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, officer participants have about 21 years of law enforcement experience.

Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin stated, “There is nothing more important than investing in your team and creating the next generation of law enforcement leaders. I am so proud of Captain Belloli for representing Dearborn and completing this very prestigious program.”

As Captain Belloli explained, "I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the National Academy, and to represent the professional men and women of the Dearborn Police Department. I now have a much greater understanding of the federal resources that are available to our city in the event of a large-scale incident or investigation. My classmates included law enforcement executives from across the United States and abroad. This new network of contacts – including graduates from prior sessions – should provide valuable operational assistance in the future for the Dearborn Police Department.”

Nearly 54,000 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.