Saint Leo University Command Officer Management Cohort Graduates

ST. LEO, FL — Law enforcement officers from five Florida counties, who make up the 22nd cohort of Saint Leo University’s Command Officer Management Program, received their diplomas on Sept. 16.

A graduation ceremony was held at the Tavares Pavilion on the Lake in Tavares. This cohort was hosted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Peyton Grinnell was the keynote speaker.

Saint Leo University’s Command Officer Management Program was designed to provide onsite education that prepares law enforcement officers for the transition to command staff by addressing areas such as leadership, ethics, human resources, critical incident management, and other relevant administrative competencies. The 18-credit hour certificate program consists of six courses during six months (three terms) for undergraduate or graduate academic credits.

Class XXII graduates and their agencies are:

● Citrus County Sheriff’s Office: Sergeant Bobby Price;

● Lake County Sheriff’s Office: Sergeant Timothy Beary, Sergeant Robert Casaburi, Sergeant Brian Forst, Sergeant Gerald Green, Sergeant David McDaniel, Sergeant Nate Pickens, Lieutenant Elvin Rodriguez, who also served as the class president, Corporal Bret Rutzebeck, Corporal Keith Sommer, and Sergeant Billy Walls;

● Pasco County Sheriff’s Office: Sergeant Eric Cayer and Lieutenant Luby Fields;

● Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office: Lieutenant Joseph Mitchell and Lieutenant Ivan Nelson; and,

● Sumter County Sheriff’s Office: Sergeant Dave Clark and Sergeant Clinton Hayes.

Saint Leo University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of College and Schools (SACS). For more information on the program, contact Nikki Heister at Nikki.heister@saintleo.edu or 352-588-8487.