Beaverton Police Captain Graduates from the FBI National Academy
Captain Jeff Williams, Beaverton Police Department, recently completed one of the toughest challenges available for local law enforcement officers: the FBI National Academy. Captain Williams and two other Oregon law enforcement officers recently completed a 10-week training session at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
There is a highly competitive process that local law enforcement officers must go through before being selected for this honor. That process includes a nomination by a supervisor; interviews of the candidate and co-workers to determine leadership skills and abilities; a background check; a determination of physical fitness; and the support of former National Academy graduates within the candidate’s organization.
“Only a few law enforcement officers from Oregon have the chance to attend the National Academy each year," said Renn Cannon, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon. “The exceptional leaders selected to participate have a great opportunity to share their experiences with peers and to learn best practices from officers from across the country and the world."
Captain Williams started his law enforcement career in 1994 as an officer with Forest Grove Police Department. He would later serve as a detective, sergeant, captain, and interim police chief in that agency. The Beaverton Police Department hired him as a lieutenant in 2011 to oversee the Patrol Division. In 2012, Beaverton PD promoted him to captain, and, as such, he leads the Administrative Bureau and Operations Bureau.
Captain Williams also served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve as a commander and retired in 2016 after 24 years of service. He has also earned a bachelor of arts with a major in Political Science and a master of arts in Administration of Justice and Security.
“Graduating the FBI National Academy is a major accomplishment," said Beaverton Police Chief Jim Monger. “Captain Williams is the 16th member of the Beaverton Police Department to have graduated the National Academy; the first was in 1976. I am confident that the skills and knowledge Captain Williams learned at the National Academy will be of great benefit to the Beaverton Police Department and our community. Jeff, congratulations on this accomplishment!"
During the 10 weeks of training, local executive-level law enforcement officers spend most of their time in the classroom. Captain Williams' classes included Emotional Intelligence: Context and Communication; Intelligence Theory and Application for Law Enforcement Managers; Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement; Advanced Spirituality, Wellness and Vitality Issues in Law Enforcement Practices; Fitness in Law Enforcement; and a Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement Seminar. The program allows the participants the opportunity to earn college credits through the University of Virginia for some of those studies. In addition to the classroom work, participants have physical training courses and activities.
Each year, the FBI sponsors four sessions of the National Academy. Each session includes about 220 local law enforcement officers from around the United States as well as from around the world. While in the Academy, the officers and deputies live in a dorm-like setting. The FBI does not charge U.S. students for tuition, books, equipment, meals, lodging, or travel to and from their home.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
