Richland County deputy chief graduates from FBI executive program

Richland County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Chief Maria Yturria completed the FBI’s six-month National Executive Institute, joining just two other RCSD leaders to earn the distinction. The training puts her among a small national cohort of senior law enforcement executives focused on current threats, strategy and public safety leadership.

Why it matters: - Maria Yturria’s graduation adds a rare executive credential to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department leadership team. - Yturria became only the third RCSD leader to complete the FBI National Executive Institute in the department’s history. - The program is built for senior law enforcement commanders handling major public safety, intelligence and counterterrorism issues.

What happened: - RCSD Deputy Chief Maria Yturria graduated Sept. 24 from the FBI National Executive Institute after starting the six-month program in March 2026. - The course is designed for executive-level law enforcement leaders, including police chiefs, sheriffs, senior U.S. marshals and others. - Yturria joined Session 48, a class of 48 students from agencies with at least 500 law enforcement officers. - RCSD said she is one of only three department leaders to finish the program since it was founded 50 years ago.

The details: - Yturria traveled more than one week each quarter for training at several locations, including FBI facilities in Quantico, Virginia. - The program also included sessions at the George Washington Leadership Institute in Mount Vernon, Virginia; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama; and GARDA, the national police headquarters in Ireland. - The class included participants from LAPD, NYPD, senior FBI special agents and senior deputy U.S. marshals. - Yturria said the training was challenging and rewarding and valued the chance to learn from fellow chiefs and senior leaders. - Yturria previously graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2017. - Yturria is a veteran U.S. Army military police officer. - She has served with RCSD since 2003. - RCSD promoted Yturria to deputy chief in 2022, making her the first Hispanic officer to reach that rank in the department’s nearly 240-year history. - RCSD has nearly 1,000 employees. - Sheriff Leon Lott said Yturria is an executive-level law-enforcement leader who deeply cares about the people she is sworn to protect and serve. - Previous RCSD graduates of the FBI National Executive Institute include Lott and Deputy Chief Harry Polis, who commands the Operations Division.

Between the lines: - The National Executive Institute does not use a fixed curriculum. - FBI program managers adjust the agenda to match current policing issues. - The FBI says the format uses expert presentations and facilitated discussion to build solutions around current challenges. - Yturria’s participation reflects the department’s place among larger agencies and senior leadership circles that shape modern policing.

What's next: - Yturria is expected to bring the program’s leadership training and peer-network benefits back to RCSD. - RCSD leaders will likely continue applying the institute’s focus areas, including AI risks and benefits, to operational and strategic planning. - More information about the FBI National Executive Institute is available at the FBI, and more information about RCSD is available at Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

The bottom line: - Yturria’s graduation underscores her rise inside RCSD and the department’s connection to one of law enforcement’s most selective executive training programs.