Two hundred and thirty-eight law enforcement officers recently graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 286th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 25 countries, five military organizations, and six federal civilian organizations.
Lieutenant Sean Briley, Manning Police Department (South Carolina), joins an elite class of law enforcement professionals to graduate from the prestigious FBI National Academy. This is a designation less than one percent of all law enforcement personnel will achieve. 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.
Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to be selected to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience. Throughout the 10 week academy, students participated in seven physical fitness challenges, leading up to the final fitness challenge called the Yellow Brick Road. The Yellow Brick Road is a grueling 6.1 mile run over the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School’s obstacle course. The FBI describes the course as running through “lowlands, woods, muddy waters, simulated windows, up hills, over walls, under barbed wire and across a cargo net.”
FBI Director Christopher Asher Wray, delivered the remarks at the ceremony. Class spokesperson Elie Abi Fadel from the Internal Security Forces, Beirut, Lebanon represented the graduating officers. FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training. 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 all the National Academy courses offered. In addition to completing the National Academy requirements, Lieutenant Briley earned the Certificate of Achievement Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education.
Lieutenant Briley began his career with the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office in 2005. He joined the Manning Police Department in January of 2017. He is currently a Lieutenant overseeing Patrol and Training. He also assists with criminal investigations. In addition to numerous certifications, Lieutenant Briley holds an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, and Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security.
A total of 54,366 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. Lieutenant Briley will return to the Manning Police Department with valuable experience and a network of resources spanning a minimum of 25 international countries. Lieutenant Briley would like to publicly thank the City of Manning Police Chief Keith Grice, Mayor Julia Nelson, Administrator Scott Tanner, City Council, and the Manning Police Department for their support while at the National Academy representing Manning, South Carolina.
