MPD Lieutenant Gavin Nelson is graduating from the prestigious Naval Postgraduate School Program

Last week, a member of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) reached a major academic milestone. Lt. Gavin Nelson graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School after completing the Master of Arts in Security Studies Program at the school’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS), as per the MPD announcement. Nelson, a decorated member of MPD and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal for his bravery during the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, holds an influential position within the department’s Youth Division.

Nelson investigates a range of serious crimes against children, from physical abuse to online offences, and leads a team of detectives and supervisors who tackle these issues as part of his responsibilities. His role also includes participation in interagency initiatives, as he is a valued member of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The program at CHDS, which Nelson completed in eighteen months, is not just an academic pursuit; it is a collaborative effort of homeland security professionals across the country focused on countering terrorism and preparing for public safety threats and natural disasters, as reported by MPDC.

The NPS-CHDS program combines on-site and network-based learning, requiring two weeks of in-person on-campus attendance each quarter, in addition to periods of distance learning. Lieutenant Nelson, along with his colleagues in emergency management, law enforcement and other essential sectors, spent up to 20 hours per week completing their coursework off campus during these off-campus phases.

After graduation, Nelson received applause from MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith. “I am pleased to congratulate Lt. Gavin Nelson on graduating from such an academically demanding and rigorous program,” she told MPDC. She continued to emphasize the importance of Nelson’s educational progress: “The critical thinking skills, defense-oriented insights and leadership training he received in this program will certainly help as he continues to lead the detectives in the Juvenile Division’s Physical and Sexual Abuse Unit. “