Lieutenant Jason Millican, Woodburn Police Department, recently completed one of the toughest challenges available to local law enforcement officers: the FBI National Academy. In mid-December, Lieutenant Millican and two other Oregon law enforcement officers completed a ten-week training session at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

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 Lieutenant Millican and our other local partners in the National Academy.”

Lieutenant Millican began his law enforcement career with the Woodburn Police Department in 1988 as a Police Officer. He was promoted in 2006 to the rank of sergeant. During his career he has served as a patrol officer, K9 handler, patrol supervisor, tactical team member, detective supervisor, lead firearms instructor, and range master. He became a lieutenant in 2016 and he currently serves as the Operation Division commander overseeing patrol and traffic operations, the Mobile Crisis Response Team, and the Police K9 Unit.

“Lieutenant Millican has just completed an arduous ten week course of executive level study and a rigorous physical fitness program that has prepared him to help us take the Woodburn Police Department into the future. We are very proud of Jason for this accomplishment", said Woodburn Police Chief Jim Ferraris. “The FBI National Academy is really the 'finishing school' for command level police leaders. I look forward to Lieutenant Millican’s continued contributions to our department and community".

During the ten weeks of training, local executive-level law enforcement officers spend most of their time in the classroom. Lieutenant Millican’s National Academy classes included: Essentials for Law Enforcement Executives; Emotional Intelligences; Cyber Threats; and Intelligence Theory. The program allows participants the opportunity to earn college credits through the University of Virginia for some of those studies. In addition to the classroom work, participants 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 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.