FBI National Academy, session 259 - my yellow brick road

week 5 and weekend trip to Sevierville/Tennessee

schedule week 5

It’s almost half-time of session 259. Weeks are always hurry. Just started and always finished.

Time is the most valuable resource at Quantico. Days are full scheduled with classes. After classes regular events are following. If there is „gap“ you always think about to finish some home- or paperwork to pass all examinations.

countries of international students

states of domestic students

Week 5 was another intensive week with lots of inputs and outstanding guestspeakers (e.g.NCIS) during the classes. We talked a lot about subjects and special topics like leadership, effective homicide investigations, crime analysis and risk levels, cases studies (Washington Sniper), balistics, social behaviour and organization development. Listening and understanding required a lot of attention and additional reading. At physical training we also reached a higher level – the impact of permanent training is obviously. I feel much stronger and in a better shape. I normaly go in for sport 2 hours a day (including Blue Brick and voluntary exercises). I only moved out the Marine Base on Tuesday. I went with Matt and Pierre to Potomac Mills to buy some stuff for our families. We finished the day with a pizza outside the Marine base.

The hours beside official data I used to keep connection to my family and network with my students. It’s still fun to talk to my fellows from all over the world and the United States. There are small things we laugh about – atmosphere is still great. The FBI-dormitories live – I see my fellows anywhere and anytime- even at midnight in library or washing the laundry. Everybody is busy to manage allday belongings but also open for a conversation.

class impressions

homicide investigations with chief of NCIS

crime analysis- case study

estimation of risk level in behavioral sciences and crime

handling stress and PTSD (Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder)

lecture from Ontario Police -Canada

election of graduation speaker for class 259

Bobby Smith presentation - lost his ability to see by shooting with suspect

finished paperwork - one of about 13

international students in uniform at IACP dinner

South-Korea, France, Germany

On Friday Matt, Pierre and me drove to Sevierville/Tennessee. Matt invited us for long weekend to his home-town. Monday was a holiday because of „presidents day“. Police department Sevierville rented an apartment for us. We arrived about midnight. Next day Matt picked us up for breakfest. Then we got a tour trough Sevierville with lots of impressions and had lunch with his family. In the afternoon we visited the local police-department. Matt is patrol-captain and also one of two police chief deputies. The hierarchy in U.S. law enforcement is very slim and straight (officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, chief). Matt develops new strategies for regional enforcement and comprehensive relationships to other authorities and institutions. He really loves his home town and it’s people. I went for a couple of hours on patrol with the new trafic-vehicle and further with a police car. I was involved in two 911 emergency call-missions when we helped two disabled older ladies to get back on her feets. Next day we went out to explore nationalpark „Smoky Mountains“. Matt showed us most beautiful lookout points and information-center for visitors. Later we explored the „Moonshine“destillery – one of the most popular spirituous beverages of Tennessee. On Monday after lunch we drove back (in a heavy snow-storm) to Quantico. Thank’s Matt for an unforgettable weekend and hospitality.