Former River Parish resident graduates from FBI Academy

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 2, 2001

QUANTICO, Va. – Todd Scioneaux, a former resident of the River Parishes, was among 268 law enforcement officers who recently graduated from the FBI National Academy program at Quantico, Va.

Scioneaux is a 1983 graduate of St. Charles Catholic High School, a 1988 graduate of Louisiana State University and was a supervisory investigator for the Louisiana Department of Justice for nine years. He is the son of Nancy Scioneaux and the late John B. Scioneaux.

FBI director Louis J. Freeh was the principal speaker at the ceremony. The 203rd session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 23 international countries, four military organizations and three federal civilian organizations.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy program, held at the FBI Academy, offers 11 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, these officers have 19 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

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.

Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia due to the accreditation by the university of many courses offered.

The graduating officers were represented by the class spokesperson Inspector Gary W. Ellis of the Toronto Police Service, Ontario, Canada.

A total of 33,977 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy since it began in July 1935. Of this number, approximately 20,804 are still active in law enforcement work.