LAPLACE — Det. Lt. Brandon Barlow of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office was among 256 students worldwide to complete a top-notch training curriculum with the FBI National Academy this month.

Held in Quantico, Virginia, the rigorous 10-week training course is invitation-only, and participants are selected through a nomination process.

Representatives from local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies improve their investigative skills through the course, which also emphasizes leadership training.

Barlow attended courses on law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism/terrorist mindsets, leadership, communication, and health/fitness. He participated in specialized training to share ideas, techniques and experiences enhance community policing.

“The FBI National Academy gave me the ability to attend academic classes, taught by top tier instructors and geared towards improving leadership and investigative skills,” Barlow said. “These are skills and lessons that I can now bring back to the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office.”

He said attending the FBI National Academy was a privilege and an honor.

“To be surrounded by leaders in law enforcement, both national and international, provided me with the ability to network and learn from (the best),” Barlow said. “I can now share what I learned to make the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office even better.”