Boerne Police Department Lt. Mitchell Scoggins was among 128 recent graduates of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
The academy invites only the top one percent of law enforcement officers in the country to attend 10 weeks of advanced training in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science. The officers who attend have, on average, 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
“The residents of Boerne have high expectations for our Police Department," Lt. Scoggins said. "Educational opportunities like the FBI National Academy are invaluable because we get to learn from some of the best in the profession, both instructors and other law enforcement leaders from around the country. Being able to bring new concepts and ideas back home will help not only the Police Department, but the community as a whole."
The 280th session of the FBI National Academy was comprised of men and women from 41 states and Washington D.C., as well as students from international law enforcement agencies. The students represented three countries, five military organizations, and seven federal organizations. The session culminated with a graduation ceremony Dec. 16, 2021.
Lt. Scoggins was nominated to represent his section during their time at the academy. He completed the advanced coursework and the fitness challenge, which is capped off with a final test called the Yellow Brick Road. Designed and built by the Marine Corps, the Yellow Brick Road is a grueling 6-mile run through hilly, wooded trails filled with obstacles along the way. It was named for the yellow bricks placed along the route to mark the way for trainees.
A total of 52,923 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.
"The opportunity to participate in this specific training is rare," Interim Chief of Police Jeff Page said. "Lt. Scoggins illustrates the high caliber leader the FBI National Academy seeks for this training. It's a great benefit to our department and to the Boerne community."
FBI National Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Since 1972, academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits many of the courses offered.
Lt. Scoggins is the fourth officer at the Boerne Police Department to complete the academy, joining Interim Chief Jeff Page, Interim Assistant Chief Steve Perez, and Lt. Cody Lackey.
