3 times the charm: Indian River Shores graduates 3rd officer from FBI National Academy
INDIAN RIVER SHORES — Police Capt. Mark Shaw is the third person in the town's Public Safety Department to graduate from the FBI’s National Academy, quite an achievement for the small force that provides police, fire and emergency services to residents.
Public Safety Director and Police Chief Rich Rosell and former police chief and current Town Manager Rob Stabe also are graduates of the FBI Academy, a prestigious 11-week program for law enforcement officers around the world.
"It is the type of training you just can’t get anywhere else,” said Shaw, who has been a member of the Public Safety Department for 14 years. “There are so many different components wrapped into the training, making it just an unbelievable experience.”
As part of the academy, Shaw traveled to New York City to participate with fellow classmates in training sessions conducted by the city's Police Department and Fire Department. He toured 1 Police Plaza, the city’s police headquarters and spent time in the 6th Precinct in Chinatown, the oldest police precinct in Manhattan.
Because all of the Shores’ public safety officers are trained as police, fire and paramedic responders, Shaw also toured the NYFD fireboat Marine 6 as it patrolled the Hudson River.
This gave him a unique perspective on fighting fires from the river, something that might prove beneficial since so many properties in the Shores are waterfront, he said.
Rosell attended the graduation ceremony March 16 in Quantico, Virginia. The 217th class included men and women from 48 states, the District of Columbia, 18 countries, five military organizations and five federal civilian organizations.
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“Mark’s graduation from this prestigious police leadership program represents an impressive accomplishment,” said Rosell. “I’m confident it will enhance his ability to provide the best police service to the citizens of Indian River Shores.”
Rosell graduated from the FBI Academy in 2004 as a New Jersey State Police officer and Stabe graduated about 10 years ago. About a dozen Indian River County Sheriff’s Office deputies also are graduates of the FBI Academy, including Maj. Eric Flowers, sheriff's spokesman, who graduated in December.
Overall, fewer than one-tenth of 1 percent of all law enforcement officers are graduates.
Training for the FBI Academy is provided by instructional staff, special agents of the FBI and guest lecturers recognized internationally in their field. Students earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia for their class studies.
In attendance at the graduation ceremony was FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was the principal speaker. Wray addressed the 223 students in this session’s class, who bring the total number of graduates to 50,808 since the academy began in 1935.
The National Academy program offers mid-career law enforcement leaders an advanced training program at Quantico, the same location where the FBI trains its agents. National Academy students take courses in subjects ranging from behavioral science to counter-terrorism and intelligence theory and engage in intense physical training.
Shaw, 46, joined the Indian River Shores Public Safety Department in 2004. He also served as a Vero Beach police officer and paramedic for Indian River County Fire Rescue.
Rosell said any future police chiefs for the town will be required to have graduated from either the FBI National Academy or the Southern Police Institute. The town will continue to send command personnel to the FBI National Academy in the future, Rosell said.