Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight is pleased to announce two lieutenants and one sergeant graduated today from the 80th Command Officers Development Course sponsored by the Southern Police Institute, Department of Justice Administration, hosted by the Clermont Police Department.

Law Enforcement Lieutenants Mike Dumer and Chris Perz, along with Corrections Sergeant Eleni Koenig attended the 400-hour training program in Clermont in five, two-week segments over a five-month period. Students learn to develop solutions to specific problems; plan, implement and evaluate management strategies; and understand federal requirements for personnel issues.

“It’s imperative that our supervisors understand and initiate agency best practices as they progress into leadership roles,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “Continuing education programs and career development courses such as this are a vital part of our succession planning.”

During Friday’s ceremony, Perz was recognized for graduating third in his class academically, out of 49 students.