Suffolk Police Department Captain James D. Buie was awarded the PELS Graduate Leadership Award at the Nov. 19 graduation ceremony for the 35th session of the Professional Executive Leadership School.

This award recognizes a member of each PELS session who has demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities, exhibited a sincere desire for self-improvement, provided support and encouragement to other program participants, and best represents their organization and profession.

The recipient of this award is chosen by his/her peers and is presented with a plaque at the conclusion of the PELS session. In addition, the recipient’s name and PELS session number is added to the PELS Graduate Leadership Award plaque on display at the administrative headquarters of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation.

The PELS program is an intensive leadership program conducted by the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation in cooperation with the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies.