Lt. Robert Marra, a 19-year veteran of the Vernon Police Department, graduated Sept. 4 from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. He was among 254 law enforcement officers from 49 states, the District of Columbia and 20 nations who were members of the 295th session of the national academy.
Marra completed a 10-week professional development course that focused on leadership, behavioral science, communications, investigative techniques, and physical fitness. To be admitted to an academy class, an officer must hold the rank of lieutenant or higher and have earned a reputation for professional integrity. The average attendee has 21 years of experience.
Current Vernon Police Chief Marc Petruzzi and former chiefs John Kelley and James L. Kenny are FBI National Academy graduates.
“Leadership development is an essential element of any successful organization,” Petruzzi said. “By attending the preeminent police leadership training program in the county, if not the world, Lt. Marra will bring back to the Vernon Police Department a wealth of knowledge and experience that will benefit his fellow officers and community, and have a positive impact on department operations and administration.”
Marra said his experience and the knowledge he gained at the FBI National Academy are without equal.
“I learned from world-class instructors and was able to meet and exchange ideas with police leaders from across the country and world who face the same challenges we face here in Vernon,” he said. “These lessons and perspectives will help me in my work as leader in the department, and ultimately benefit our officers and Vernon. I also gained a network of professionals I can reach out to for advice.”
Marra now serves as head of the detective bureau and the police department’s public information officer. His previous assignments include patrol lieutenant, patrol sergeant, East Central Narcotics Taskforce investigator, community police officer and patrol officer.
Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne congratulated Marra on his achievement and said the entire department will benefit from what he has learned.