Walton County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Taylor Park

Tallahassee, Fla.  – Walton County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Steven “Taylor” Park is among leaders from 33 Florida sheriffs’ offices who graduated this week from the Florida Sheriffs Association’s prestigious Commanders Academy.

The Commanders Academy is an exceptionally informative and educational experience that is vital for public safety leaders of the next generation. The academy has become recognized as the premier course of executive study for mid to upper-level criminal justice leaders.

The core curriculum focuses on leadership, ethics, discipline, and additional subject matter areas related to upper-level leadership in law enforcement. The remaining curriculum is adjusted according to emerging trends and issues that have an impact on our sheriffs and recent high-profile events. Each topic is threaded with problems that are unique to the culture of the Office of the Sheriff. The class learns from more than 50 presenters and panelists throughout the academy, many of who are current sheriffs. No other criminal justice program in the state provides this level of executive training.

“We are excited to offer heartfelt congratulations to the Class 11 graduates who, thanks to the training and presentations from our partners, are equipped to be even better leaders,” said FSA President and Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum. “As a revered course study program for criminal justice professionals, the Commanders Academy prepares attendees to be most effective in leading modern policing and protecting their communities.”

Steve Casey, executive director of the Florida Sheriffs Association, said, “Florida’s Sheriff’s offices are consistently looked to as the model of protecting, leading, and uniting. With the continuous training and innovative curriculum taught through the Commanders Academy, we can maintain this standard of excellence. We are proud to know our sheriffs and their commanders, deputies, and staff set the bar to the highest level.”

In addition to successfully completing this two-week training course, Commanders Academy Class 11 also raised $26,000 for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. This generous donation will help support the mission of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches in preventing delinquency and to develop lawful, resilient, and productive citizens.