By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

HARPERSVILLE – More than two years ago, Harpersville Mayor Theoangelo Perkins nominated Police Chief David Latimer for the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. After background checks and other qualifiers, Latimer finally was accepted into the program.

Latimer described the program as a “career capstone.”

“It’s something a lot of law enforcement executives aspire to, but most never get to bring to fruition,” he said.

Latimer will leave for Quantico on Sept. 30 for the 10-week program, and intends to graduate on Dec. 16.

Harpersville Police Captain David Bearden will serve the town as interim police chief until Latimer returns in late December.

“I’ll be (living) in the barracks. It’s been over 40 years since I was in the military,” said Latimer, who served in the U.S. Air Force for six years. “They say that men as they grow return to their childhood. I guess I’m starting.”

The academy provides college education courses, as well as physical training for participants. Latimer said he’d be taking courses relating to forensics and media, as well as management-oriented courses and psychological courses relating to criminal behavior.

To prepare for the physical training, Latimer said he has been running at least three days a week and lifting weights.

“I went through police academy late in life. I was over 50 when I went through police academy, and I was one of the older recruits, older rookies. They nicknamed me “Papa.” True story,” he said, laughing. “At the end of it, I outran several of the 25 to 30 year olds and barely had enough breath to ask, ‘Who’s your papa now, boys?’”

Latimer will attend the academy with about 200 people in his class from around the world.

“(I have) a little anxiety, but not much. It’s going to be a little bit of a break,” he said. “I’ve been here for over four years now, so a short break to recharge the batteries will be a good thing.”