Suffolk Police Lt. Janet Brandsasse graduated from the FBI National Academy at Quantico recently, according to city officials.

The National Academy program offers 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected officers with proven records within their agencies. On average, the officers have 19 years of law enforcement experience.

Brandsasse joined the Suffolk Police Department in September 1995. She worked in uniform patrol and obtained numerous certifications, such as accident reconstructionist, crime scene technician and Breathalyzer operator. She was promoted to lieutenant in 2005 and currently serves as Lieutenant of Criminal Investigations.

She retired from the U.S. Navy after 25 years of service, 10 of which were on active duty. The remaining years were served as a naval reservist stationed at Little Creek Amphibious Base, where she served as the commanding officer of three security detachments.

She is now three credit hours away from receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Old Dominion University. Her husband, Gerald Brandsasse, also a Suffolk Police lieutenant, graduated from the FBI National Academy program in June 2009.

The 246th session of the FBI National Academy included men and women representing law enforcement agencies from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., 28 different countries, three military organizations and five federal civilian organizations.

Training for the program is provided by FBI Academy instructional staff, special agents and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise. Students also can earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia for the courses.

Since it began in 1935, the FBI National Academy has a total of 45,031 graduates.