Akron Reporter

Akron, Ohio  — Recently, three Akron Police Department captains graduated from prestigious and well-regarded policing programs. Captain Michael Rinn graduated as a member of the 287th session of the FBI National Academy. Captain David Laughlin and Captain Agostino Micozzi both graduated from Class #548 of the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University.

“I’m incredibly proud of these three captains for their outstanding dedication to their chosen profession and their continued education,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan.  “Their hard work is a testament to their character, and these accomplishments will benefit our entire department and community. It is with much gratitude and pride that I congratulate each of them on their graduations.”

"I want to congratulate Captain Rinn, Captain Laughlin, and Captain Micozzi on their note-worthy graduations," said Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett. "These captains embody the commitment to excellence that this department strives for, and I could not be prouder of their achievements. The future of the Akron Police Department will remain in good hands with leadership like this setting the example."  

Captain Michael Rinn’s graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on September 14th, 2023. Captain Rinn is the latest from the Akron Police Department to complete this prestigious program. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. Captain Rinn's session consisted of one hundred and ninety-nine law enforcement officers from 46 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 21 countries, four military organizations, and three federal civilian organizations.

Captain Agostino Micozzi and Captain David Laughlin both successfully completed the 22-week Staff and Command program of Northwestern University held in Evanston, Illinois from April 10 – September 10, 2023. This program, which was implemented by the Center for Public Safety in 1983, has graduated over 21,000 students both nationally and internationally.

The School of Police Staff and Command provides upper-level college instruction in a total of twenty-seven core blocks of instruction and additional optional blocks during each session. The major topics of study include: Leadership, Human Resources, Employee Relations, Organizational Behavior, Applied Statistics, Planning and Policy Development, Budgeting and Resource Allocation. Each student is academically challenged through written examinations, projects, presentations, and quizzes in addition to a staff study paper that are all required parts of the curriculum.

Original source can be found here.