Hawai‘i Police Department officer among 253 grads from FBI National Academy

A Hawai‘i Police Department officer is one of the newest graduates from Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy.

Capt. Levon Stevens — a 22-year veteran of the Big Island police department — was among 253 law enforcement professionals who graduated March 18 as members of the Quantico, Va.-based academy’s 297th session. Grads represented 48 states, the District of Columbia and 24 countries.

Stevens serves as captain of administration for Hawai‘i Police Department Administrative Services Division.

FBI National Academy is a 10-week, internationally recognized program of advanced professional study and physical training for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders.

Participants are nominated by their respective agencies based on demonstrated leadership. Nationally, less than 1% of officers are selected to attend.

The program is conducted at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where new FBI agents and intelligence analysts are trained.

Academy students complete challenging academic coursework, as well as rigorous fitness training, culminating in the “Yellow Brick Road,” a grueling 6.1-mile obstacle course through hilly terrain featuring running through creeks, climbing walls, jumping through simulated windows, scaling rock faces with ropes, crawling under barbed wire in muddy water, maneuvering across a cargo net and more.

“I am very proud of Capt. Stevens,” said Hawai‘i Police Department Chief Reed Mahuna in announcing Stevens completing the academy. “He is an outstanding leader in this department, and the FBI National Academy experience will serve him very well. We appreciate the opportunity to send our officers to the FBI National Academy; it is an invaluable and important professional development opportunity.”

Hawai‘i Police Department since 1947 has nominated several officers to attend the academy, with 12 graduates currently ranging in rank from lieutenant to deputy police chief.

“Attending the FBI National Academy was an incredible opportunity to learn alongside law enforcement professionals from across the globe,” said Stevens in the announcement. “The experience strengthened my leadership perspective and reinforced the importance of collaboration, accountability and service. I look forward to bringing these insights back to Hawai‘i County as we continue working to serve our community with integrity and professionalism.”