For 10 weeks this spring, EPPD Capt. Chris Wood was a student at the FBI’s National Academy, a professional institution for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders which serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments.

Last Thursday he graduated from the academy.

Capt. Wood was one of 201 students from 32 countries who attended this session of the academy. Only half of 1% of law enforcement officers attends the academy at some point in their career. Participation is by invitation only, through a nomination process. Capt. Wood is the eighth employee from the EPPD to attend the FBI National Academy.

While there, Capt. Wood attended classes Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Weekends were spent doing homework, which consisted of reading, researching and writing papers. The classes covered a number of topics including contemporary issues in law enforcement, leadership, critical analysis of present day policing, emotional intelligence, investigative strategies for violent crime and fitness.

Each Wednesday the students faced a physical fitness challenge involving interval training and distance running. If they passed each of the weekly challenges, students were eligible to run the final challenge: the Yellow Brick Road. This challenge was a 5+ mile obstacle-course-run designed by the marines which involved running through creeks and scaling rocks. Finishers, including Capt. Wood, received a large yellow brick for their accomplishment.

We are happy to have Capt. Wood back with us to share all he learned.