Captain Patrick Baker, a 19-year veteran of the Benton Police Department, recently joined the prestigious ranks of those who have graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He was among law enforcement officers from across the globe who graduated Sept. 14 from the academy’s 273rd session.
Baker was also a recipient of the Yellow Brick Road Award for completing the grueling fitness challenge consisting of a 6.1-mile run though a hilly, wooded trail built by the Marines. Participants must climb over walls, run through creeks, jump through simulated windows, scale rock faces with ropes, crawl under barbed wire in muddy water, maneuver across a cargo net, and more. Students who complete this test receive a yellow brick to commemorate their achievement.
The recent National Academy class consisted of members of law enforcement agencies from across the U.S. and multiple countries, military organization and federal civilian organizations. The ten-week program offers advanced communications, leadership and fitness training for selected officers with proven records within their agencies. The stringent selection process often results in a waiting list of three to five years. Attendees have, on average, 19 years of law enforcement experience and typically return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
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 field of expertise. While in attendance, Baker studied in such areas as Constitutional Law and Policing, Fitness in Law Enforcement, The Cyber Threat Landscape for Law Enforcement Executives, Executive Leadership, Managing the Media and Law Enforcement Image, and Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement. Three of the courses completed were Masters level courses accredited through the University of Virginia that can be applied toward a future graduate degree.
There are four current members of the Benton Police Department who are FBI National Academy graduates serving the community.
“It’s considered an important part of the executive level training at BNPD that better equips supervisors to professionally guide the department into the future,” said Chief Scotty Hodges.
“We’re proud of [Captain] Baker for this accomplishment and look forward to hearing about his experiences and applying what he learned for the betterment of the entire agency.”
For general department information, visit www.bentonpolice.org or contact BNPD at 501-776-5948 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
