Benton County Sheriff Graduates from the FBI National Academy

Newly appointed Benton County Sheriff Scott Jackson recently completed one of the toughest challenges available for local law enforcement officers: the FBI National Academy. In June, Sheriff Jackson and one other Oregon law enforcement officer 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 support of former National Academy graduates within the candidate’s organization.

“We are very proud to be able to send such qualified candidates,” said Greg Fowler, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “The Academy is known worldwide for providing an exceptional educational and training experience to those who are chosen to attend.”

Sheriff Jackson has spent 18 years with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, working his way from deputy to jail corporal to sergeant, and, eventually, jail commander. He earned a promotion to undersheriff in 2008 and held that position until he became sheriff on July 1. In addition to his law enforcement duties, Sheriff Jackson served in the United States Army from 1983-91, in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1991-92, and in the Oregon National Guard from 1995-2008. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in management from Western Baptist College in Salem, and he is currently finishing his master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Western Oregon University.

“I found the most valuable pieces of the FBI’s National Academy program are the networking opportunities and the chance to learn how agencies across the nation deal with very similar issues,” said Sheriff Jackson. “I came home with a tremendous list of resources now available to the sheriff’s office specifically and to our community as a whole.”

Sheriff Scott Jackson

During the 10 weeks of training, local executive-level law enforcement officers spend most of their time in the classroom. They have the opportunity to take classes in criminal law, police management, behavioral science, forensic science, and law enforcement communications. 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, they 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 will 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.