Honan

Following 10 weeks of advanced classroom instruction in law enforcement, investigative procedures, management, communication strategies and the use of intelligence -- punctuated by climbing ropes, walls and cliffs, running and traversing nets during intense fitness and obstacle-course sessions -- David Honan, Cornell's deputy chief of police, graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., June 8.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the FBI National Academy offers training for officers with proven records as professionals within their agencies. This year, men and women from 48 states, the District of Columbia, 24 countries, four military organizations and five federal civilian organizations attended its 249th training session.

"I was nominated for the program by Chief of Police Kathy Zoner four years ago," said Honan. "Being chosen this year was the opportunity of a lifetime."

"I nominated Dave because I knew it would inform his already outstanding performance and help him bring fresh perspectives to the work we are doing in building relationships with key groups across campus," said Zoner. "I am a 2007 graduate of the FBI National Academy and was pleased the FBI chose Dave as the second member of our staff to attend."

Training, accredited by the University of Virginia, is provided by FBI Academy instructional staff, special agents and other staff members holding advanced degrees and recognized internationally in their fields of expertise. Honan earned high grades and graduate and undergraduate course credits for law enforcement in such areas as labor law, fitness, intelligence theory and application, contemporary issues in police and media relations, public relations, and communication strategies for officer-involved shootings.

"The knowledge packed into those courses was almost overwhelming," said Honan, but much of what he learned indicated that Cornell has "policies and procedures consistent with the best practices and the professional personnel to deliver the best service to our community."

As part of his academic course work, Honan wrote a paper, "Diversity Efforts in Law Enforcement," in a class that applies to a university setting; he also completed the Fitness Challenge, a series of fitness events leading up to running of the "Yellow Brick Road" -- a 6.2-mile obstacle course located on Marine Corps Base in Quantico.

Since its inception in July 1935, the FBI National Academy has graduated 45,817 participants.