NIA set to graduate biggest cohort yet

If growth is a sign of progress, the National Public Safety Innovation Academy (NIA) is doing just fine. 

NIA, an eight-week executive-level course for law enforcement and corrections personnel, is set to graduate its second and biggest cohort yet on Thursday. This class features 31 graduates from nine different states and of nine different ranks. Despite its large size, participants say it was a close-knit group. 

“To have people here from Alaska, Montana, Alabama, the networking capabilities were incredible,” said Lt. Tyrone Tyson, a participant from the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. “This class gelled from the beginning. We became a family. For law enforcement, sharing is an important thing. I left with a new group of friends that I can share perspectives, policies, and have discussions with.” 

“The size was almost perfect,” said Sgt. Collins Sykes, a participant from the Nash County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. “You get people from so many backgrounds. With about 30 people, you get so much diversity. We’ve all become friends more than we are classmates.” 

For the first time, the recent NIA cohort featured participants from Alabama, Montana, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Through two cohorts, NIA has now had participants from 12 different states. 

“It’s one of the best trainings I’ve ever been to – incredibly innovative,” said Lt. Charles Cox of the Hailey Police Department in Idaho. “It can be overwhelming with the depth of the subject matter from the instructors they brought in, but my classmates were the highlight. Being able to draw off their experiences and bring that back to my department will be extremely beneficial.” 

NIA gives future law enforcement and corrections leaders the tools and training they need to advance in their careers and is operated in partnership between Polk State College and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Participants study at Polk State’s state-of-the-art Center for Public Safety, located in Winter Haven.  

“The facility is amazing,” Sykes added. “I was impressed with how polite everyone is in their dealings with students and visitors on site. The curriculum is really up to date with what’s going on in our world today.” 

NIA is one of just three national command schools in the U.S. Over the eight weeks, participants learn from subject matter experts to craft innovative policies and manage high-liability situations in the modern world of criminal justice. Perhaps as important, they also learn from one another. 

“The ability to network with people from all over the country is a great thing,” said Lt. Mark Gaudynski, of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin. “You find out that a lot of the things that you think are unique to your department are not. I’ve attended many trainings, but to have a class this size and to be able to get along so well and have such camaraderie is something really special.” 

Participants came from as far as Alaska to be part of NIA. This cohort also features participants from five agencies within Polk County: The Sheriff’s Office and police departments in Auburndale, Bartow, Haines City, and Lake Wales. 

“When you talk with other participants, you realize that the issues you deal with are industry-wide,” said Captain Nicolas Gueco III, NIA’s second participant from the North Slope Borough Police Department in Alaska. “The question is how we improve these things and change culture. Anyone can be promoted to a position of authority. I realized early on that my guys would follow me into hell. I wanted to be someone they should follow.” 

During the eight weeks, participants stay at Cabana Cottages in Auburndale. Recognized as one of USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers Choice Awards for 2022, Cabana Cottages features a business center, two swimming pools, a laundry facility, and a gym. 

“The lodging situation made life a lot easier on us,” Tyson added. “We couldn’t do these eight weeks in a hotel. It’s as home away from home as possible.” 

The next NIA cohort will begin on Jan. 16, 2024. Registration is now available online.  

“Overall, this was a great experience,” said Mike Johnson, Deputy Circuit Administrator with the Florida Department of Corrections. “I have no doubt that NIA will take the criminal justice field to the next level.”