On November 28, Ambassador Ronald Schlicher congratulated 12 Cypriot National Police graduates of the FBI's National Academy at an official ceremony held at the Cypriot National Police Headquarters in Nicosia. Welcoming the graduates, Ambassador Schlicher noted the importance of global law enforcement partnerships in order to effectively combat terrorism and criminal activity. During the ceremony, each graduate received an FBI National Academy Bar pin that they will wear on their uniform to represent their achievement.

The mission of the FBI's National Academy 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.

Today approximately 300 Law Enforcement Officers attend, 30 of whom are selected from the International Law Enforcement Community. Graduates of the National Academy continue to build bridges between themselves and other National Academy colleagues through yearly "Retrainer" Conferences. The Cypriot National Police will be hosting the National Academy Retrainer Conference in Cyprus in 2010.