Suffolk Police Department Lt. Debbie J. George is one of just a few city police officers – and the first female – to graduate from the FBI National Academy this month.

George, 38, is in rare company. According to academy statistics, less than half of 1 percent of all law enforcement officers nationwide are admitted to its program.

Only a handful of current department employees are FBI academy graduates: Chief William Freeman, Maj. Larry Wilson, Capt. Dean Smith, Sgt. Stephen Smith and Sgt. John J. Marx.

&uot;It was an honor to represent the Suffolk Police Department and the city at the FBI National Academy,&uot; George said. &uot;It was an excellent school and I am grateful to have had the opportunity.&uot;

The school combined classroom experience with rigorous physical training, including workouts and challenge runs, three times a week, she said.

Classes – which were taught by leading law enforcement professionals – covered all sorts of topics, including computer crime, crime scene photography and media issues.

&uot;We were also afforded the opportunity to review the handling of some of the most significant cases in law enforcement history, such as the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the investigation of the Interstate 95 sniper shootings,&uot; George said.

&uot;It was humbling to sit and share ideas with some of the best and brightest in law enforcement today.&uot;

Legal and law enforcement contacts from around the world are the main benefits of participating in the academy, George said.

Having those connections with her 250 fellow students – as well as with past graduates from around the world – could accelerate getting critical assistance Suffolk may need from other law enforcement agencies, she said.

George credited her co-workers for covering for her during her three-month absence.

&uot;But most of all, I am thankful to my family,&uot; she said. &uot;Without the support and cooperation of my husband, Barry, and sons, Ryan and Josh, it would not have been possible for me to be away from home for so long.

&uot;They made me proud.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com