Commander graduates Florida Leadership Academy

Public Information Officer Gretl Plessinger informed Historic City News that the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute is proud to announce the graduation today of 37 first-line supervisors from the Institute’s Florida Leadership Academy.

Graduating today with Class 28 of the Florida Leadership Academy, is St Johns County Sheriff’s Commander, Stephen J. Colson. Commander Colson earns $81,120 each year, plus benefits.

“Colson serves as the Commander of Detention operations,” Sheriff’s spokesman Chuck Mulligan told Historic City News this afternoon. “The Undersheriff is temporarily serving as interim Director of Corrections, since the retirement of Director Frank Cyr. Chief Connie K. Reams is Assistant Director. Commander Colson is the next highest ranking officer at the St Johns County Detention Facility.”

According to Plessinger, who is assigned to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, all the graduates serve in leadership roles in criminal justice agencies across the state.

The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, established within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and affiliated with the State University System, was established in 1990 by the Florida Legislature to address the need for an innovative and multi-faceted approach to the education and training of criminal justice professionals.

Seminar participants met for four weeks at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando. Graduates acquired skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges.

The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to stand as examples of the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals, and to examine the various components necessary to efficient leadership.