Zelienople lieutenant graduates from FBI National Academy
A Zelienople police lieutenant became the second member in the department’s history to graduate from the FBI National Academy on June 18, the Zelienople Police Department announced Wednesday, July 1.
Lt. Kevin Mikulan was one of 255 graduates of the 298th session of the national academy, which ran 10 weeks, from April 8 to June 18, with a heavy focus on advanced communication and leadership skills, and between three and five days of physical fitness training per week.
“I’m still trying to take it all in,” Mikulan said. “I’d say it was the most challenging, but rewarding, leadership training I’ve completed.”
The academy also supports officers finishing their degrees through the University of Virginia, but with a doctorate, Mikulan said he had more freedom in choosing his courses.
“The academic part is really important to me,” Mikulan said.
Only about 1% of law enforcement professionals worldwide are chosen to attend the academy. Mikulan said he applied about two years ago.
Graduating officers have an average of 21 years of law enforcement experience. Zelienople’s chief, James Miller, graduated from the academy in 1987.
Mikulan said he intends to return to the Zelienople Police Department, where he’s worked the last 15 years, but many law enforcement professionals use their credentials to secure executive positions elsewhere.
“(The academy) is well-respected throughout the world,” he said.
Almost 57,200 candidates have graduated from the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935 in Quantico, Va.
