CITY OF SANTA MARIA
FBI National Academy
Class 297
Jan 7 – Mar 18, 2026
Commander Daniel Rios
Santa Maria Police Department
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
Overview
• 10-week residential leadership
program at the FBI Academy,
MCBQ, Quantico, VA
• 248 leaders | 48 states, D.C., &
24 countries (started at 256)
• Top 1% LE executives selected
• Focus: communication,
leadership, wellness, fitness, and
networking
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
Academic Experience
• University of Virginia: Five
graduate-level courses plus one
physical training (PT) course
• Classes Mon – Fri, 7am – 5pm
• Course studies included:
o Leadership, Culture & Influence
o Critical Incident Management for
LE Executives
o Managing Organizational Change
o Emotional Intelligence
o Leading Well – Authentic
Leadership Through Wellness
o Physical Fitness, Physical
Performance & Nutrition
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
Training & Environment
• Structured PT focused on wellness
and resilience
• World-class Quantico training
environment
• Daily collaboration with national
and international leaders
• Lifelong professional network
development
• Real-world learning through major
case studies and debriefs
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
Impact to SMPD & Our Community
• Proud to represent Santa Maria
and California law enforcement
• Reinforces SMPD’s leadership
philosophy and collaboration
o Continued legacy - Chief Williams
and Cmdr. Dan Cohen both
FBINA alumni
• Strengthens trust internally and
with our community
• Advances focus on people, culture,
and wellness
• Brings back tools and perspective
to apply national best practices
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
Commander
Daniel Rios