Central Falls Police Chief Anthony J. Roberson graduates from the FBI National Academy

One hundred and ninety-nine law enforcement officers graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 287th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 46 states and the District of Columbia. The Chief of Police of Central Falls, Anthony J. Roberson, was one. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 21 countries, four military organizations, and three federal civilian organizations.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers coursework in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, forensic science advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Nationally, fewer than one percent of law enforcement have are selected to attend the prestigious program and must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. 

FBI Director Christopher Asher Wray delivered remarks at the graduation. 

FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Roberson completed 10 weeks of intensive training. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on September 14th, 2023.

Chief Anthony J. Roberson is the first officer in department history to have his doctoral dissertation entered into the FBI library. Roberson said he “looks forward to utilizing the knowledge, skills and relationships from this experience to better serve the community of Central Falls.”

From the CF Police Department website –

About Colonel Anthony Roberson, Chief of Police

Colonel Anthony J. Roberson is the 19th Chief of Police of the Central Falls Police Department. He began his law enforcement career in 2002 as a patrol officer with the Providence Police Department serving as a member of the Patrol Bureau, UCR/IBR Coordinator, member of the Neighborhood Response Team Task Force, School Resource Officer, Commanding Officer of the Records Bureau, Detective in the investigative division, Patrol Sergeant, acted as the Juvenile Hearing Board liaison and instructed on cultural competency and diversity for the police academy.

Colonel Roberson is a graduate of the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Education in Public Leadership in Senior Executives in State and Local Government, Leadership Decision Making, Nonprofit Management and Leadership: Strategies for Organizational Success earning him an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership. He is also an alum of Cornell University’s Women in Leadership program, Harvard University’s Extension School for Effective Organizational Communication, Roger Williams University’s Leadership Development and Organizational Learning in policing, Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety-Supervision of Police Personnel program, the New England Public Safety Command Academy, the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute’s Chief Executive Law Enforcement Program and MIT’s Management Executive Education in Leading Organizations.

Colonel Roberson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Bellevue University, a Master of Science Degree from Boston University in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Strategic Management, a Post-Master’s Degree in Education, as well as a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership. He has attended the New York State Police 34th Colonel Henry F. Williams Homicide School, the FBI Regional Command College and has completed the Executive, Command and Supervisory trilogy leadership programs at FBI-LEEDA.  In 2023, Colonel Roberson was appointed to the Rhode Island Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training.

Colonel Roberson is the recipient of numerous accolades. He was the first in Rhode Island to be selected to receive the United States Department of Justice Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing, a recipient of the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public service, an inductee into the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall of Fame, an awardee of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association for Community Policing, an honoree of the NAACP Medgar Evers Award, a recipient of the Humanitarian Award for the City of Providence,  selected as a “Men Who Make a Difference” by the Women’s Resource Center and chosen as a finalist for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Citizen Honor Award in addition to receiving other recognitions. 

Colonel Roberson presently serves as a member of the board of directors for the YMCA and Nonviolence Institute.  He recently served on the board of directors for the Sojourner House, an agency that combats domestic violence.

Colonel Anthony Roberson has implemented several national award-winning efforts such as the “Handshake Initiative”, “Shop with a Cop RI”, the “Bicycle Summer Safety Program” and the “Leading Ladies Initiative”.