Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
-Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute

Sergeant Bryan Bingham
Age: 44
Hire Date: 08/02/1999

Sergeant Michael Paniagua
Age: 46
Hire Date: 07/23/2003

What:
Two Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office sergeants have graduated from the 35th Florida Leadership Academy held by the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

When:
The graduation was held on Friday, March 8, 2016.

Where:
The academy was held at the Polk State College, Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety in Winter Haven, Florida. 
 
Why/How:
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office announces the graduation of Sergeant Bryan Bingham and Sergeant Michael Paniagua from the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute’s, 35th FDLE Florida Leadership Academy program.

The graduating class included 36 first-line supervisors representing 26 criminal justice agencies throughout the state, and who serve in leadership roles within their agencies.

The graduates met for four week-long sessions at the Thompson Institute of Public Safety, where they learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges. 

The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader.

The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, established within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and affiliated with the State University System, was established in 1990 by the Florida Legislature to address the need for an innovative and multi-faceted approach to the education and training of criminal justice professionals.

For further information on the program contact Gretl Plessinger, Molly Best, or Steve Arthur at the FDLE Office of Public Information at (850) 410-7001.

Left to right: Sergeant Michael Paniagua and Sergeant Bryan Bingham