Scott Freeman is one of those rare people whose life's purpose seems to have been preordained. He devoted his life to law enforcement as a teenager in high school and 22 years later he achieved his ultimate aspiration by graduating from the FBI's prestigious National Academy in Quantico, Va. in March.

Freeman's hopes of one day attending the FBI Academy became reality after being nominated by Police Chief Gene Wilson. The 10-week program focused on advanced investigation, management and fitness training for selected officers who have proven records as professionals within their agencies.

"Every law enforcement officer aspires to attend the FBI academy," Freeman said. "It is the very highest honor, and I am humbled to have been selected for and to have graduated from the academy."

But achieving the distinction did not come easy - the program involved intense physical and mental elements. Though it was the longest period of time he had ever been away from home and the first time he had lived in a tiny dorm room along with a roommate, Freeman said the biggest challenge was the physical aspect. While the primary focus was academics, the program also involved completing a 6.1-mile Marine Corp obstacle course and a 34-mile swim challenge.

"It was the most difficult thing I have ever done," he said. In addition to taking six intense and advanced courses in an extremely accelerated time-frame, the physical demands left Freeman 30 pounds lighter when 10-week program ended in March.

Freeman's passion for law enforcement began at Rockdale County High School, where he participated in the Explorer program designed to give young adults interested in law enforcement careers the opportunity to learn about the job.

After graduating in 1990, he worked as a dispatcher at the Conyers Police Department for a year before attending the police academy and becoming an officer. He is now a Major in the department and has earned both a master's degree and a Ph.D. in public policy from Walden University.

"Being a graduate of the academy has put me in a better position to be a more effective leader in the (police) department and also in the community," Freeman said.

Although he has worked in just about every division, he is currently responsible for the administrative services bureau at the police department. Freeman's duties include but are not limited to 911 operations, records, department certification and accreditation, officer training, court and probation, property and evidence, community outreach and Conyers Security Alert, which oversees the City's alarm system.