Fairfax County Police Department News

Our warmest congratulations to Captain Graham H. McGowan, the Fairfax County Police Department’s latest graduate of the FBI’s prestigious National Academy, which has just completed its 259th session. Last week he joined the ranks of 12 other previous graduates on our department who are active police commanders, including our Chief, Colonel Edwin C. Roessler, Jr. Captain McGowan is a 31-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department and currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy.

The FBI National Academy, established in 1935, is a ten week professional development course for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders. Sessions of approximately 220 officers take undergraduate and/or graduate classes at the FBI campus in Quantico, Virginia with the goal of improving the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home. Coursework focuses on law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism/terrorist mindsets, leadership, communication, and health/fitness.

Leaders and managers of state, local, county, tribal police, military, federal, and international law enforcement agencies attend the FBI National Academy by invitation only. The Fairfax County Police Department has had 96 graduates in our history, 13 of whom remain proudly serving within your police department.