Capt. Denis O'Leary: Police Beat

Farewell
As of April 26, I am no longer the captain of Taraval Station. I have transferred to a position in the chief's office overseeing the Management Control Division (internal affairs), the Legal Division and the Equal Employment Opportunity Unit.

I had been studying at the National Academy for 10 weeks during the months of January, February and March of this year. The National Academy is a police management-training program conducted by the FBI, in conjunction with the University of Virginia. I lived in a dormitory room on the campus of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where I studied constitutional and labor law, forensic science, management and behavioral science and crime analysis.

I was one of 260 students in the class. Most were from the U.S. and 28 were from other countries. The 10 weeks went by quickly. It was the longest separation in our 23-year marriage. My wife, Diane, was very understanding but she was glad to have me home. I now have a better understanding of what our oldest daughter is going through as she completes her college studies away from home.

Taking over at the Taraval Station is Keith Sanford, the new captain. He is a 21-year veteran of the SF Police Department. Keith brings a vast amount of experience to his new job - his last assignment was as the commanding officer at the Juvenile Division of the Investigations Bureau.