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Aurora Police Commander Graduates From FBI Academy

An Aurora Police Commander has joined an elite group of law enforcement professionals after graduating from the prestigious FBI National Academy Program earlier this month.

Commander Kristen Ziman, who currently heads the department’s Neighborhood Policing Division overseeing patrol services citywide, was among 265 law enforcement officers from across the globe who completed the 10 week training at Quantico, VA. The graduates from the 249th session of the National Academy represented law enforcement agencies in 48 states, the District of Columbia, 24 international countries, four military organizations and five federal civilian organizations.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the FBI National Academy Program offers 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management, and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, the officers have 19 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

During her time at the academy, Commander Ziman received both graduate and undergraduate level training in areas of study that included Contemporary Issues in Media for Law Enforcement, Public Speaking, Labor Law Issues for Law Enforcement Administrators, Fitness in Law Enforcement, Interviewing Strategies Through Written Statement Analysis, and Promoting the Law Enforcement Image. Ziman completed all of the courses with high marks.

In addition to the academic course work, she received her “Yellow Brick” for completing the Fitness Challenge, which is a series of fitness events leading up to the running of the “Yellow Brick Road”— a 6.2 mile obstacle course located on the Marine Corps Base at Quantico that consists of 26 different obstacles and hills. Upon completion, students are awarded a “Yellow Brick” to signify their accomplishment.

Training for the program is provided by FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents, and other instructors holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.

Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia due to accreditation by the university of the many courses offered.

A total of 45,817 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. Of this number, approximately 28,305 are still active in law enforcement work.

Commander Ziman says she is looking forward to putting into practice some of the lessons she learned at the academy describing her time there as some of the most relevant and valuable training of her career. “The academics were challenging but the real learning came from sharing best practices with police executives from around the world”, she said. “I am honored to have been chosen to attend and I am I’m eager to apply all that I’ve learned to help lead the Aurora Police Department and serve the citizens of Aurora.”

Ziman began her career with the Aurora Police as a cadet in 1991. She was sworn in as an officer in 1994, was promoted to Sergeant in 2003, Lieutenant in 2008, and Commander in 2010. During her career she’s worked in patrol, the Community Oriented Policing and Domestic Violence Reduction Units; and as a Field Training Officer.

Location: Aurora, Illinois