CLAY COUNTY – Five Clay County law enforcement professionals graduated last week from the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute’s Leadership Academy at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Training Facility.

Sgt. Eric Claxton of the Orange Park Police Department, Sgts. Erin Vineyard and Brett Morando of the Green Cove Springs Police Department and Sgts. Eddie Howell and Ben Wase of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office were part of Class 56, representing the graduation of 44 first-line supervisors representing 37 criminal justice agencies throughout the state.

They learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges.

The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader.

The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, housed within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and affiliated with the State University System, was established in 1990 by the Florida Legislature to address the need for an innovative and multi-faceted approach to the education and training of criminal justice professionals.