Captain Graham H. McGowan is the Fairfax County Police Department’s latest graduate of the FBI’s National Academy, which has just completed its 259th session. Last week he joined the ranks of 12 previous graduates on the department who are active police commanders, including Chief, Colonel Edwin C. Roessler, Jr. Captain McGowan is a 31-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department and currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy.
The FBI National Academy, established in 1935, is a ten week professional development course for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders. Sessions of approximately 220 officers take undergraduate and/or graduate classes at the FBI campus in Quantico, Va. with the goal of improving the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home. Coursework focuses on law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism/terrorist mindsets, leadership, communication, and health/fitness.
Leaders and managers of state, local, county, tribal police, military, federal, and international law enforcement agencies attend the FBI National Academy by invitation only. The Fairfax County Police Department has had 96 graduates, 13 of whom remain serving within the police department.