Lieutenant Chris Baldridge, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, has completed one of the toughest challenges available to local law enforcement officers: the FBI National Academy. Lieutenant Baldridge and two other Oregon law enforcement officers graduated a 10-week training session at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, today.

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 leaders selected for the National Academy have the opportunity to learn and share best practices with other elite law enforcement officers from across the country and the world,” 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. Baldridge and our other local partners in the National Academy.”

Lt. Baldridge began his career as a reserve deputy sheriff with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 and started full-time in April 2001. In September 2002, he accepted a position with the Stayton Police Department. In 2003 he became a member of the Marion County Inter-Agency SWAT Team and served as an active member until April 2013. In September of 2005, Lt. Baldridge accepted a position with Marion County Sheriff’s Office where he has served as a deputy, a sergeant, and a lieutenant. Lt. Baldridge currently serves as a lieutenant within the MCSO’s Enforcement Division where he is assigned to patrol.

“We are fortunate for Lt. Baldridge to have had the opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy and learn from law enforcement leaders from around the country,” said Sheriff Joe Kast. “The new relationships he has built and valuable information he has learned over these last 10 weeks will benefit our team at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office 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. Baldridge’s National Academy classes included: Essentials for Law Enforcement Leaders-Developing a Transitional Leader; Leading At-Risk Employees; Fitness for Law Enforcement; Legal Issues Impacting Law Enforcement; and Public Speaking.

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.