City of Wylie Police Chief John Duscio has been selected to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.  The rigorous eleven week program includes advanced professional instruction with an emphasis on leadership development.  Participation in the program is by invitation only through a nomination and detailed screening process. Chief Duscio will attend the Academy April 11 through June 18.

“This honor is a reflection of Chief Duscio’s outstanding leadership in the department and commitment to our community,” says Wylie Mayor Eric Hogue.

“We are very proud of Chief Duscio’s selection to the FBI Academy and are looking forward to the knowledge and experience that he will bring back to the Wylie Police Department and community,” says City Manager Mindy Manson.

The National Academy curriculum consists of undergraduate and graduate courses relating to Police Management, Behavioral Science, Criminal Law, Law Enforcement Communication Arts, Forensic Science and Health/Fitness.  Attendees also participate in a wide range of leadership and specialized training, giving them the opportunity to share ideas, techniques, and experiences with their peers.

The goal of the Academy is to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad; and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.  The Academy’s mission is "to support, promote, and enhance the personal and professional development of law enforcement leaders by preparing them for complex, dynamic, and contemporary challenges through innovative techniques, facilitating excellence in education and research, and forging partnerships throughout the world."

The training culminates with what is known as the “Yellow Brick Road,” a 9-mile grueling run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the Marines. Participants must climb over walls, run through creeks, jump through simulated windows, scale rock faces with ropes, crawl under barbed wire in muddy water, maneuver across a cargo net, and more. When (and if) the students complete this difficult test, they receive an actual yellow brick to memorialize their achievement.  The course came to be known as the “Yellow Brick Road” years ago, after the Marines placed yellow bricks at various spots to show runners the way through the wooded trail.