COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Christopher Williams, Chief of Police
DATE: April 7, 2026
SUBJECT: Presentation – Commander Daniel Rios’ Graduation from the FBI National Academy
The City Council will receive a presentation regarding Commander Daniel Rios’ recent attendance and graduation from the FBI National Academy.
BACKGROUND:
Established in 1935 , the FBI National Academy (FBINA) in Quantico, Virginia, is a prestigious 10-week residential training program for law enforcement leaders, aimed at standardizing and professionalizing police forces. Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive -level positions.
The Academy was founded by J. Edgar Hoover to "raise the level of professionalism nationwide" by providing federal assistance to local police departments. It is often regarded as a p remier training school for law enforcement managers, having trained thousands of law enforcement leaders from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and more than 160 countries.
DISCUSSION:
Commander Daniel Rios was selected to attend the 297 th session of the FBI National Academy and graduated on March 18, 2026, alongside 253 law enforcement leaders.
The 297th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 48 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 24 countries, four military organizations, and four federal civilian organizations. Only the top one percent of law enforcement leaders is selected to attend this prestigious leadership program.
Police Commander Daniel Rios is a lifelong Santa Maria resident with more than 25 years of law enforcement experience. Commander Rios graduated from S anta Maria High School and holds an Associate of Science in Administration of Justice from Allan Hancock College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California Coast University and is 2 currently completing a Master of Arts in Organizational Lead ership. He is a proud graduate of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Santa Maria Valley program, and the Sherman Block Leadership Institute (Class 277). Throughout his career, Commander Rios has served in and supervised a wide range of assignments, including Patrol, Field Training Officer, Detective Bureau, Crime Lab, Property and Evidence, Community Services Unit, K -9 Unit, Public Information Officer, Training Bureau, Traffic Unit, Range – Firearms Training Unit, Arrest & Control (ARCO N) Unit, Mobile Field Force, Mounted Enforcement Unit and SWAT.
Deeply invested in the community, Commander Rios is a proud Boys & Girls Club alumnus and serves on the Boards of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mid Central Coast and Pacific Christian Center. He has coached youth sports, served on PTA boards, and remains active with the Boys & Girls Club Alumni Committee (Railroad Avenue location), and the Santa Maria Police Council. He and his wife are lifelong Santa Maria residents committed to the City’s continued growth and well-being.