Ocoee deputy chief graduates from FBI academy

Ocoee Deputy Chief Scott Nylander has graduated from the 292nd session of the FBI National Academy. The ceremony for the 257 graduates was held Dec. 12 in Quantico, Virginia.

Nylander is the third member of the Ocoee Police Department to graduate from the academy; former Chief Charles Brown graduated in 2011, and former Chief Stephen McCosker earned his diploma in 2018.

“The FBI National Academy is one of the world's most prestigious law-enforcement training programs, renowned for developing leadership skills, technical expertise and strategic thinking,” Ocoee Police Chief Vincent Ogburn Sr. said. “It is an incredible accomplishment to graduate from this academy, a testament to an individual's dedication, commitment and excellence in law enforcement. Graduates of this program join an elite network of professionals who exemplify the highest standards of service and integrity. Their achievement represents personal success and the trust and confidence placed in them by their agencies and communities.

“The men and women of the Ocoee Police Department would like to congratulate him on this accomplishment,” Ogburn said.

The 257 law enforcement officers came from 48 states, the District of Columbia and Guam, as well as agencies from 27 countries, including South Africa, Ireland, Ukraine, Japan and The Maldives; eight military organizations; and five federal civilian organizations. Nationally, fewer than 1% of officers have the opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy, and acceptance is based on nomination and invitation only.

“I couldn’t have attended without the approval and backing of our chief and our former city manager, Rob Frank, and current city manager, Craig Shadrix,” Nylander said. “They were all in support of me attending, and I appreciate the opportunity.”

In the 11-week session, attendees participated in advanced communication, leadership and fitness training. Nylander was able to select his own classes prior to arriving in Quantico, and he said he chose master-level courses he thought would be most beneficial to the Ocoee Police Department upon his return. Among them were managing organizational change, employee wellness, several media classes and a physical fitness class.

Instructors were retired FBI agents, a retired state police executive, career academic professionals and retired journalists.

“These instructors took their time to work with you and gave you a lot of feedback,” Nylander said.

The academy is a strong proponent of fitness, he added. One challenge that had to be met was running a mile in under 10 minutes.

“Every Wednesday was a physical fitness challenge, and that all led up to the final challenge, which was called the Yellow Brick Road,” he said. “It’s a six-mile combination of obstacle courses and running. Once you complete that, you’re awarded a yellow brick that you can bring back to your agency.”

The program also included take-home assignments and group assignments meant to bring classmates together through collaboration. There were many benefits to networking and communicating with people from around the country and other parts of the world, Nylander said.

There was a variety of evening events, too. Participants engaged in a coin and patch exchange, and during International Night, students from all around the globe wore their typical military uniform.

A popular extracurricular activity was the weekly soccer game.

CAREER GOAL

Nylander first heard about the FBI National Academy when Brown, his former chief, attended; he made it a goal to go once McCosker graduated from the program.

“Chief Ogburn, when he became chief a year ago, he became aware I wanted to attend the academy,” Nylander said. “I was very fortunate; he was the driving force for getting me into the academy.”

It was a packed house for the graduation ceremony in December; Nylander’s wife, Vanessa, and their three children, Jacob, Samantha and Noah, all were in attendance.

“I was very appreciative of my family,” he said. “One time I was gone for four straight weeks; it was great having them finally come up and attend the graduation.”

The ceremony also was livestreamed at the Ocoee Police Department so Nylander’s coworkers could watch him graduate.

“I appreciate them because they had to pick up a lot of slack for me to be gone,” he said.

Nylander grew up with the idea of becoming a police officer one day. He was hired by the Ocoee PD in 2001.

“When I first got hired by Ocoee, I thought I would be here only a few years and then apply for the FBI,” he said. “I chose to stay here. … I’ve had different opportunities throughout my career.”

He was promoted to sergeant in 2008, and he said that was the first time he considered the idea of becoming chief of police in Ocoee. In 2024, he was promoted to deputy chief.

“I’ve been on that path for the second half of my career, and I’ve tried to become the best well-rounded officer,” he said.

Attending the FBI National Academy certainly contributes to that.

“My goal of attending this academy was to learn and absorb as much as the academy had to offer … and tie that back to the community, which has a direct impact on our community,” Nylander said. “In Central Florida, we have a lot of NFA graduates. We’re very fortunate in Central Florida to have the best officers who are willing to work together.”