Law Enforcement Officials from Citrus, Lake, Pasco, Sarasota, Sumter Counties Part of Class

Saint Leo University’s 21st Command Officer Management Cohort Graduates

The 21st cohort of Saint Leo University’s Command Officer Management Program is graduating the week of August 31. The graduates of Class XXI represent five law enforcement agencies in Florida, with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office serving as the host. The class began in January at the Sumter County office, then moved to the Zoom format when Saint Leo’s classes switched to online in March. The class persevered and their program finished with the Summer 1 2020 term. 

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. By offering the command school at an agency facility or at one of the university’s education centers, law enforcement agencies realize a significant cost savings in travel, housing, and meals. The 18-credit hour certificate program consists of six courses during six months (three terms) for undergraduate or graduate academic credits. 

Unfortunately, the pandemic made it impossible to have the traditional joint graduation ceremony, so the individual agencies will host diploma presentations and the graduates will receive virtual congratulations from Saint Leo faculty members as well as Dr. Robert Diemer, director of Saint Leo’s Department of Public Safety Administration and Dr. Phillip Neely, chair of the undergraduate criminal justice program.

Saint Leo University Command Officer Management Class XXI graduates are: info@ntneighborhoodnews.com

● Citrus County Sheriff’s Office: Sgt. Shelley Clark

● Lake County Sheriff’s Office: Sgt. Eugene (Butch) Arnold; Cpl. Jonathan Chavis; Sgt. Tamara (Tammy Dale; Lt. Jason Kerley; Sgt. Bryan Lawrence; Lt. Clifton McMennamy; Sgt. Timothy O’Brien; and Sgt. John O’Connor Jr.

● Pasco County Sheriff’s Office: Sgt. James         Berberich; Sgt. Kristina Irizarry; Inspector Sanfa Johnson; Sgt. James (Butch)           Linsalata; Lt. Robert (Bobby)            Medina; Lt. Jason Sarne; and Lt. Robert (Teddy) Tedeschi

● Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office: Lt. Brian         James and Lt. Shawn Johnson

● Sumter County Sheriff’s Office: Felicia Bishop-Metz; Sgt. Kevin Davenport; Edward Fritz; and Sgt. Terence Hollis.

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.

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is one of the largest Catholic universities in the nation, offering nearly 60 undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs to more than 19,500 students each year. Founded in 1889 by Benedictine monks, the private, nonprofit university is known for providing a values-based education to learners of all backgrounds and ages in the liberal arts tradition. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a residential campus in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, 15 education centers in five states, and an online program for students anywhere. The university is home to more than 95,000 alumni. Learn more at saintleo.edu.