Kauai Deputy Police Chief Michael Contrades was presented with a peer-nominated honor award after recently graduating from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.

Contrades was among 257 participants in the 248th session of the academy in Quantico, Va. Contrades was honored by his peers with the Excellence in Leadership award at the March 16 ceremony.

According to the FBI National Academy web page, the academy “serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge and cooperation worldwide.” Participation is by invitation only via a nomination process.

Officers undergo specialized training and participate in courses that include behavioral and forensic science and leadership development.

Contrades is a 17-year veteran of the Kauai Police Department. He was promoted to deputy chief in December 2011.