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Police Capt. Aaron Carvalho graduated March 13 as a member of the 293rd session of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Carvalho was one of 244 law enforcement officers selected to attend the 293rd session of the academy, which consisted of men and women from 24 countries, 48 states, 11 military organizations and four federal civilian organizations, according to a press release from the Hawaii Police Department.

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Internationally known for its academic excellence, the FBI National Academy is a 10-week program of professional study and physical training for U.S. and international law enforcement managers.

Attendees are nominated by their agency based on demonstrated leadership qualities. Nationally, fewer than 1% of officers have the opportunity to attend the program. The FBI Training Academy is the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.

In addition to the professional training, FBI National Academy attendees undergo fitness training and graduates undergo their final fitness challenge on the “Yellow Brick Road,” a grueling 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail built by U.S. Marines. Along the way, attendees must climb over walls, run through creeks, jump through simulated windows, scale rock faces with ropes, crawl under barbed wire in muddy water, maneuver across a cargo net, and more.

“We are immensely proud of Captain Carvalho successfully completing the venerated FBI National Academy” Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said in the press release. “He is to be congratulated for his long-term dedication to excellence, as well as the exemplary skills required to graduate a challenging program such as the FBI National Academy.”

Carvalho has served the HPD for more than 21 years, starting his career as a patrol officer in South Hilo.

“I am honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy,“ Carvalho said in the release. “The experience, knowledge, and partnerships established will surely have a lasting impact on my career and my ability to serve my community.”