UT Police Department Lieutenant Donovan Ross graduated from the 255th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on June 13.
Ross was one of seven law enforcement leaders from Tennessee invited to attend the 255th Session. His class included representatives from seventeen foreign countries and forty-six states and totaled 220 students.
The National Academy Program operated by the FBI since 1935 has a rich history of networking senior law enforcement officials across the globe. The program has a strong academic track as well, with classes taught through the University of Virginia.
Ross took 15 hours of college courses during the ten-week program with classes in advanced computer crimes, interviewing strategies through statement analysis, leadership for law enforcement, contemporary issues in media and law enforcement, and conflict and crisis management and others in additional to the physical training associated with the program.
Ross also completed the Marine Corps Obstacle Course, called the “Yellow Brick Road.” The grueling 6.1-mile course has come to symbolize attendance and completion of the National Academy. For his efforts, Ross received the coveted Yellow Brick for completing all weekly physical challenges. Ross also received the Blue Brick for completing thirty-four miles of swimming during his academy stay.
The National Academy attendance is an invitation-only opportunity offered to the top 1 percent of the law enforcement community and is an experience unparalleled in law enforcement leadership training in the United States. Ross called it “the pinnacle of leadership training in this country.”
Thus far, he is only the second UTPD officer to be invited to attend the prestigious training. He joins his Chief Troy Lane (212th Session), as the only other active National Academy graduate in UTPD.
“Executive leadership training at this level is what sets us apart in terms of professionalism,” said Ross. “It is likely the only time in my career that I will be able to set aside ten weeks devoted strictly to law enforcement leadership and management training.”
Chief Lane added: “We are proud of Lieutenant Ross and his accomplishment. We expect great things from him in his future with the department.”
Ross holds a masters and Bachelors of Science in sports management from UT. Ross is currently assigned as the supervisor of the Investigations and Community Relations Unit at UTPD.