Rockville Centre cops graduate FBI academy

Two members of the Rockville Centre Police Department recently graduated from the FBI’s National Academy and a third is scheduled to attend in October.

On June 10, Rockville Centre Police Insp. Glenn Quinn, the chief executive of the department, became the first village officer in 35 years to graduate from the academy in Quantico, Va.

Lt. James Vafeades followed Quinn’s footsteps and graduated on Sept. 16, after completing a 10-week course in advanced investigation and management. The college-level courses were offered through the University of Virginia.

Vafeades, winner of the 2010 Nassau County Municipal Police Chief’s Association Distinguished Service Award, was among 250 law enforcement officers from 28 countries, 48 states and three military organizations to complete the academy’s 246th session. Lt. Chris Romance will be attending the academy in October.

“These graduates of the FBI Academy are an investment in the future of the Rockville Centre Police Department that will pay dividends for decades to come,” village police Commissioner Charles Gennario said in a statement. “It is an honor to be selected to attend this course and an accomplishment to complete it.”

More than 45,000 have graduated from the FBI Academy since its founding in July 1935. Participation is by invitation only, after a nomination process.