The streets of Crest Hill are a little safer now that Deputy Chief Brad Hertzmann is back from Quantico, Virginia.
Hertzmann spent 10 weeks this spring at the FBI Headquarters completing the FBI National Academy Program. He spent more than two months with law enforcement officers from across the U.S. and the world, as one of just 213 officers selected for the training. The 264th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 21 other countries.
“It’s a hard course to get into,” Crest Hill Chief of Police Dwayne Wilkerson said. “There’s a long waiting list and it’s such a sought after program which is what makes it so prestigious.”
As part of the program, these officers received 10 weeks of advanced education in leadership, communication and fitness training. On average, officers selected for the program have 19 years of law enforcement experience and typically return to their specific agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
Not everyone who wears a badge has the opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy Program. Most of the law enforcement officers selected for this unique training are carefully screened and have proven records within their departments.
“I applied in 2012 and was not selected to go through the course until spring 2016,” said Hertzmann, who has been with the Crest Hill Police Department for 17 years. “It’s an incredible experience. I was able to connect with not only domestic police officers but international police officers as well. I learned so much from going through such high profile cases in forensics, cybercrime and counter-terrorism.”
Training for the program is provided by the FBI Academy’s instructional staff, special agents and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in various fields of expertise.
“We always want to promote continuing education for our police officers to keep up with current trends and changes in our society,” Crest Hill Mayor Ray Soliman said. “This distinguished honor will benefit our other officers and our community as a whole.”
A total of 49,234 graduates now represent the alumni of the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. For more information about the program, visit www.fbi.gov/about-us/training/national-academy.