The Birmingham Field Office of the FBI announced the graduation of Capt. David Clackley and Capt. Neil Fetner of the Clanton Police Department from the 25th Southeastern Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar in Florence.

SLEDS was established for law enforcement executive officers at the nation’s mid-sized law enforcement agencies. Dating back to 1981, SLEDS has graduated more than 1,300 law enforcement executives.

Each year, the FBI Regional Command College trains chief executives and other command staff from all over the country. Since about 80 percent of the law enforcement agencies in the United States have fewer than 25 sworn officers, the Regional Command Colleges serve the majority of local law enforcement agency executives.

The command college is a 40-hour course focused on management, legal issues, media relations, leadership, strategic planning, labor relations, social issues, terrorism and other police-related topics.

“I really enjoyed the leadership and legal issues training that was part of the curriculum,” Fetner said.

The environment of the seminar is conducive to independent thought and study. Participants have the opportunity to exchange plans, problems and solutions with their peers; to develop new thoughts and ideas; and to share successes of their own communities.

“As a former graduate of SLEDS, I encourage other law enforcement executives to participate in the program and offer the training opportunity to members of their respective agencies,” CPD Chief Brian Stilwell said.

“I really enjoyed the experience and I highly recommend SLEDS to any law enforcement officer that may be considering upward mobility in public safety,” Fetner said.