SAPD officers among first graduates of SJR State's Criminal Justice Leadership Academy

St. Johns River State College on Monday celebrated the first graduating class from its Criminal Justice Leadership Academy.

Among the nine officers making up the Class of 2015 were Sgt. Anthony Cuthbert and Sgt. Jennifer Michaux of the St. Augustine Police Department.

SAPD Chief Loran Lueders said their graduation from the academy was confirmation they are ready to take on more responsibility within the department.

Cuthbert said much of the program focused on emotional intelligence.

"A lot of it is being able to read people," he said.

The skill is meant not just to help interactions officers have with people on the street, but those within the department and in positions of political or community leadership.

"It's not necessarily something I want to have just because I want to move up," he said. "It's really to sharpen our skills as communicators for the level we're at now."

Cuthbert has been a police officer for more than 21 years, having spent the last 18½ years with SAPD. Michaux is another longtime member of the department.

"You never stop learning in this job," Cuthbert said. "Not at all."

Other departments represented in the academy were the Clay County Sheriff's Office, the Green Cove Springs Police Department and U.S. Army Military Police.

Allen Cole, director of criminal justice training at SJR State, said academy advisers saw a need to prepare future leaders within local organizations.

"This isn't like our normal classes where you sign up if you want to and you come if you want," he said.

Local approach

Last year, advisers representing law enforcement agencies in Clay, Putnam and St. Johns counties asked the Criminal Justice Academy to develop a leadership program.

The 240-hour program is designed to prepare officers for leadership positions within their respective agencies. Classes are divided into three modules: Line supervision, middle management and an executive development seminar.

Chief Robert Musco of the Green Cove Springs Police Department is chair of the advisory committee.

"It's a lot different from what you do on a daily basis," he told graduates. "The higher up you go in the organization, most of the things you were introduced to here are things you will be asked to perform."

He said the committee wanted to draw from local talent and develop future leaders internally. He said the program can also be a stepping stone for officers toward state and national certifications.

"This was an introduction to many, many disciplines and to see what people really do in other offices," Musco said.

He and Cole said they were hopeful officers will provide feedback to help them improve the program and attract more officers. The goal for next year is to reach an enrollment of at least 15, with classes possibly starting in winter rather than spring.

Cole said one of the roadblocks to getting more participation from St. Johns County was that many class times coincided with The Players Championship golf tournament.