Lieutenant Clayton Simon, Lake Oswego Police Department, recently completed one of the toughest challenges available to local law enforcement officers: the FBI National Academy. Lt. Simon 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 exceptional law enforcement leaders selected to attend the National Academy each year have the unique opportunity to share their experiences with peers and learn best practices from officers from across the globe,” 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. Simon and our other local partners in the National Academy.”

Lt. Simon’s career began with the Lake Oswego Police Department in August 2005 as a patrol officer. During that time, he became a defensive tactics instructor and field training officer. In 2011, he transferred to the Traffic Unit as a motorcycle officer and crash reconstruction technician. In 2014, he was promoted to sergeant and in 2018 to lieutenant and now supervises in the Traffic Division.

Lt. Simon has been involved in several department projects. Some of those projects and tasks include administering the State’s STOP demographic requirements for Lake Oswego, the department’s e-ticketing program, assisting in a new records management system project, managing the department’s Rotary funds program, and coordinating the development of the Adult Resource Officer position.

In the Traffic Division, Lt. Simon oversees police involvement in city sponsored special events. His unit includes two motorcycle officers, two school resource officers, and four community service officers. His unit responds to all serious injury/fatal crashes in Lake Oswego and handles most matters that are not patrol or investigation related.

Lt. Simon graduated from Willamette High School in Eugene, Oregon, and earned his degree in Business Administration from Oregon State University in 2003.

“I am very proud of Lieutenant Simon’s accomplishments and successful graduation.” said Chief Dale Jorgensen, Lake Oswego Police Department. “The knowledge he brings back will benefit not only our department, but our community, for years to come.”

During the 10 weeks of training, local executive-level law enforcement officers spend most of their time in the classroom. Lt. Simon’s National Academy classes included: Fitness in Law Enforcement; Contemporary Issues in Police and Media Relations; Navigating Leadership Crises; Breaking Barriers and Building Community; Overview of Forensic Science for Police Administrators and Managers; 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.