UCF Police Department Commander Christopher Gavette has joined an elite group of law enforcement professionals who have completed the prestigious FBI National Academy — a rigorous 10-week program focused on advanced communication, leadership and fitness training for law enforcement executives.
Held quarterly in Quantico, Virginia, the FBI National Academy is internationally recognized for its challenging curriculum and competitive selection process. Nationally, fewer than 1% of officers are selected to attend this program.
Gavette was nominated by fellow FBI National Academy graduate and UCFPD Deputy Chief Scott Freeman ’11 — an opportunity he didn’t take for granted.
“Everything focuses on personal growth and professional development,” Gavette says. “The FBI offers academics and coursework, but there’s also a lot of peer-to-peer interaction. By the time you leave, you have a holistic view of best practices from around the world.”
Attending the Academy had long been a goal for Gavette, dating back to his early days as a corporal at UCFPD. Beyond the coursework and fitness challenges, he says the greatest benefit was gaining new perspectives and knowledge from his peers.
“From the first couple of classes, I learned right away that UCFPD does things right. We’re leaps and bounds ahead of other agencies,” Gavette says. “But it was also helpful to learn what others are doing that we might be able to implement at UCF.”
The immersive program includes dorm-style living, a structured schedule and intensive training. Gavette says the most difficult part was being away from his family and routine, but that experience led to a surprising takeaway: the importance of mindfulness and wellness.
“In almost everything we did, there was a focus on being intentional and positive,” Gavette says. “This job can be challenging, so managing your emotions and understanding how that affects your colleagues, family and personal health is crucial.”
Gavette began his career at UCFPD in 2004 as a patrol officer and has since served as a special liaison to the UCF President and as a field training officer. He currently serves as commander of both the special operations division and special response team, and has previously led the agency’s main campus patrol and professional standards divisions.
Before joining UCFPD, Gavette served with the Florida State University (FSU) Police Department and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice and criminology from FSU. He’s also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 59th Command Officers Development Course.
Now a member of the National Academy Associates, Gavette has access to ongoing training, resources and a global network of law enforcement leaders.
His advice for others considering the program?
“I think it’s the best experience you can ever go through as a law enforcement professional,” he says. “When you come back, you’ll be better, and your agency will be better because of it, too.”
