Lieutenant Jeff Miller, Gresham Police Department, recently completed one of the toughest challenges available to local law enforcement officers: the FBI National Academy. Lieutenant Miller and three other Oregon law enforcement officers graduated a 10-week training session at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on March 13, 2020.

There is a highly competitive process local law enforcement officers must go through to be selected for this honor. That process includes a nomination by a supervisor; interviews with 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.

“The FBI’s National Academy is a unique opportunity for the exceptional leaders attending to learn best practices, share their experiences and build life-long relationships with other leaders,” said Renn Cannon, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Only a few officers from Oregon have the chance to attend each year and we are proud to sponsor Lt. Miller and our other local partners in the National Academy.”

Lt. Miller’s interest in law enforcement started when he joined the Police Explorer program with The Dalles Police Department in 1988. While seeking his degree from then Western Oregon State College, he became a reserve police officer alongside his late Father, Charles Miller. In 1996, he accepted a position as an officer with The Dalles Police Department and served as a patrol officer and explorer advisor. During his time with The Dalles Police Department, Miller set early aspirations for command due to the leadership demonstrated former Sergeant James Tannehill, now-retired Chief Jay Waterbury and retired Captain, and FBI National Academy alum, Edward Goodman. In 2000, he joined the Gresham Police Department and performed the duties of patrol officer, school resource officer, field training officer, and crisis negotiator, promoting to patrol sergeant in 2012. Miller supervised patrol operations, the school resource unit, the crisis negotiation team, and the neighborhood enforcement team and training unit, until Chief Robin Sells promoted him to lieutenant in 2016. Lt. Miller currently serves as the investigations commander for the department.

“We, at the Gresham Police Department, are incredibly proud of Lt. Miller for successfully graduating from this program” said Chief Robin Sells, Gresham Police Department. “We recognize the value of the studies, as well as the international networking that occurs during these 10 weeks. Jeff is only one of two that have completed this program for the Gresham Police Department, and we applaud him for this accomplishment.”

“I have so many people to thank for this opportunity, especially Chief Sells and Captain Smith. I am honored to have walked the hallways of the FBI with colleagues from around the world and learned from their experiences,” Lt. Miller said, “The NA introduced me to diverse perspectives, a commitment to wellness and change, and a diverse, professional knowledge I eagerly seek to share with my city, agency, and community”. Lt. Miller also praised his wife, Rachael Miller, for supporting him and his family during the educational journey.

During the 10 weeks of training, local executive-level law enforcement officers spend most of their time in the classroom. Lt. Miller’s National Academy classes included: Breaking Barriers and Building Community; Employment Law for Law Enforcement Executives; Fitness in Law Enforcement; Critical Analysis of Present-Day Policing; Managing Organizational Change and Development; and Contemporary issues in Law Enforcement.

Each year, the FBI sponsors four sessions of the National Academy. Each session includes about 220 local law enforcement officers from throughout the United States and 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.