WASHINGTON CO. INVESTIGATOR GRADUATES FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY PROGRAM

  

Last week, two hundred and twenty-seven Law enforcement officers graduated from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia, including Washington County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigator Mark Whidden. 

Whidden, a 12 year veteran with the sheriff's office, is the first employee in the office's history to have been selected to attend the 267th session of the F.B.I. National Academy.

The selection process was tedious and extremely competitive among several thousand law enforcement officers.

The 267th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 48 states.  Included in the class are members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 25 international countries, three military organizations, and eight federal civilian organizations.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

FBI Director James Comey was the principal speaker at the ceremony.

Training for the program is provided by the FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.

A local connection is Gail Pennybacker, the daughter of Brenham residents Mr. and Mrs. William Pennybacker.  Gail, who after 26 years, retired from WJLA in Washington D.C. and became the Instructor of Communications, Training Division of the F.B.I. National Academy, Quantico, Virginia. Whidden says he was pleased and honored to have been assigned to her class.