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Sarasota News Leader June 7, 2013 Page 56 The participants were required to write essays about why they wanted to be in the program and what they would like to change about their lives, the release notes. A panel comprising representatives of the city's community partners reviewed the applications, it adds. HARD:NOC is based on a similar program in High Point, NC, which City of Sarasota leaders visited last year to learn about a successful community policing program that helped residents take back their neighborhoods, the release points out. "The children selected are excited to be a part of this pilot program," Vice Mayor Willie Shaw said in the release. "Our goal is for them to graduate from the program and pass their new knowledge and experiences to other teenagers in the North Sarasota community." The City's partners with HARD:NOC are Brotherhood of Men; Brothers & Sisters Doing the Right Thing Inc.; CARES Outreach Service Inc.; First Step; Planned Parenthood (with SPARCC and The Source); Sheriff's Activity League of Sarasota; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall; and We R 4 Kids. HOFFMAN SELECTED TO ATTEND FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight has announced that Maj. Kurt Hoffman, Administrative Division Commander, has been selected to attend The Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy. Participation in The FBI Academy is by invitation only, a Sheriff's Office news release points out. "The professional course of study serves to improve the administration of law enforcement agencies worldwide," the release adds. "Its mission is to enhance the personal and professional development of leaders." Among the subjects are behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorist mindsets and communication, which are designed to prepare the officers "for complex, dynamic and contemporary challenges," the release notes. Hoffman has a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from Saint Leo College, a Master of Science in criminal justice from International College and a Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, the release says. A former state prosecutor, he is a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Police Legal Maj. Kurt Hoffman/Contributed photo Advisors Training Program and a member of the Florida Bar's Labor and Employment Law, and City, County and Local Government Law sections, the release continues. In 2011 he completed the FBI's Florida Executive Development Seminar. "Participation in The FBI Academy and other respected leadership training programs is important to developing the professional workforce that we are committed to providing and is part of our strategy to plan for the future of the sheriff's office," said Knight in the release. %