Tag: FBI National Academy

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Craig Schwartz’s Wrap Up

National Academy Wrap-Up: Good to be home

December 28, 2012

Sunset just after clouds parted. Heading home tomorrow.
Sunset just after clouds parted. Heading home tomorrow.

The research papers are done and the tests all taken. The 260+ members of Session 251 at the FBI National Academy graduated on December 14 and separated to return to our families and work. I planned to write this final post about my experiences at the National Academy, but have been procrastinating. My tardiness may be because I have been busy since I returned, getting reacquainted with my family, friends, and co-workers, but it may also be because I enjoyed my time in Quantico so much and don’t want to think about writing leave it too far behind me.


SRPD Promotion Ceremony
SRPD Promotion Ceremony

I returned home for the first time in 11 weeks on the night of December 14. This was the longest separation I have had from my family, and it was wonderful to walk through my front door again and be with them again. Their support made the entire experience possible for me and I will always appreciate their love and sacrifice. Even my dog remembered me and was excited to see me! A few days later I went back to work in my new position as a Captain. The Department held a promotion and swearing-in ceremony on Monday, December 17 at City Hall. The Chief swore in three young men as new Police Officers and our Personnel Services Team introduced one new Communications Dispatcher and one new Police Technician. Three Police Officers were promoted to the rank of Sergeant, three Sergeants promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and I became a Captain. The ceremony was the best I’ve seen at the Santa Rosa Police Department and it was great to see the Council Chambers filled with family and friends. I can’t think of a better way to return home.

FBI National Academy seal
FBI National Academy seal

I can’t think of much to say about the experience at the National Academy that I haven’t posted before. The FBI puts on an outstanding program with the National Academy. Every FBI employee I met, from the Special Agents and civilian employees here in California, to the staff at the FBI Academy treated us very well. I am proud to partner with them and look forward to continuing the great relationships we have formed here and in Quantico. There were many positives about the National Academy experience, but the greatest benefit was the relationship building that went on in the classrooms, the dorms, the athletic facilities, and on our weekend trips. I have come home a much richer person thanks to the many friendships I formed during my time away. I met some truly impressive law enforcement professionals from almost every state in the nation and 29 foreign countries. As I suspected, as soon as I drove away from the Academy I started missing my new friends. I learned as much or more from them as from the formal instruction in my classes, and while I may not get to see them as frequently as I would like, I know that we will continue to share our successes and failures as we work on the issues and challenges facing law enforcement over the next decade.


Now that the NA experience is over, I am looking forward to my new challenges and opportunities at the Santa Rosa Police Department. I am very thankful to Chief Schwedhelm for allowing me to attend the NA, and to my co-workers for taking on my workload while I was gone. I found the NA to be an excellent experience on several levels, and appreciate the opportunity I was given. As I wrote in an earlier post, the Santa Rosa Police Department had not sent anyone in over a decade, so one of my goals in attending was to open that door again and represent our department well so that others from Santa Rosa will have to opportunity to attend future sessions. I believe our continued attendance in programs like the National Academy and Command College helps us grow as leaders and better serve our community.
Thanks for reading. I hope my posts have helped others understand the National Academy and my experiences there.
– Captain Craig Schwartz

Lt Craig Schwartz
Lt Craig Schwartz, Santa Rosa Police Department

Captain Schwartz has been posting during his experience at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. This is his last post.

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FBI Academy, continued

A little over a month late but here is Lt. Craig Schwartz’s update while attending the FBI National Academy. Look to previous posts for all the installments.

Nov 14, 2012

International Night

Craig and Thayut (Thailand). Thayut has a funny sense of humor and gives great, funny speeches in their public speaking class.
Craig and Thayut (Thailand). Thayut has a funny sense of humor and gives great, funny speeches in their public speaking class.

Four and a half weeks to go here at the NA, and we just finished International Night. The event is set up for all of our international students to share their nations’ food, drink, and culture with us. Each of the students brings information about their country, along with some great food and some favorite drinks from his or her homeland. I had some great Pad Thai along with another very spicy Thai dish that I liked, but can’t remember the name of. The Mongolian food was great, as was the Dulce de Leche from Argentina. The Spanish Sangria was excellent as well. We all had a great time getting to know our international students a little better. Our class of 262 includes students from the following nations (in no particular order): Afghanistan; Armenia; Benin; Argentina; Brazil; Chile; Thailand; Taiwan; South Korea; The Maldives; Iraq (Kurdistan); Slovenia; Hungary; Ukraine; Spain; France; Germany; Poland; Estonia; Finland; Great Britain; Bermuda; Uganda; Benin; Nigeria; Tanzania; Mongolia; New Zealand; and Canada.

 

Tragedy

Unfortunately the night was punctuated by another tragedy for a member of the class. One of our classmates from New York State went home to be with his family this weekend. His 14 year old son had a track meet in Buffalo and collapsed in cardiac arrest. Emergency personnel were able to resuscitate him, but the young man passed away in the hospital this evening. As I’ve said before, there has been a great deal of tragedy for the members of Session 251. I am very thankful for the blessings of family and friends. Please remember to appreciate the people who are important to you.

 

Physical Challenge

Craig Schwartz-Henry Montes-John Roberts after receiving blue bricks for the 34-mile swim that represents the distance between Quantico and Washington-DC.
Craig Schwartz-Henry Montes-John Roberts after receiving blue bricks for the 34-mile swim that represents the distance between Quantico and Washington-DC.

We only have two physical challenges left before we go home. Today’s challenge was a 30 minute cardio mixer around the track in the 30 degree morning air. It was fun for all, and no one got hurt. Some of us finished up with some rope climbs after the challenge, then a mile and a half swim after lunch. Three more mile and a half swims and I’ll be done with the Blue Brick challenge. The athletic facilities here are incredible, and the PT instructors are so good I wish I could bring mine home as a coach. Our next Yellow Brick Road challenge is a 5.2 mile run for time, followed in the first week of December with the actual Yellow Brick Road challenge. That’s the 6.1 mile run that includes 3 or so miles on the Marine Corps Endurance Course. It is a trail run through the woods with 26 obstacles of different types for us to overcome. I’m looking forward to it, but kind of hoping there’s no snow on the ground. The water obstacles would be better if we didn’t have to break through ice to go through!

 

SRPD Chief Visits

Schwedhelm and Schwartz at Quantico, VA
Schwedhelm and Schwartz at Quantico, VA

Chief Schwedhelm and Captain Negri took some vacation days and flew out to visit for Veteran’s Day weekend. We had a busy, but great weekend touring the Academy, Civil War battlefields, Washington, DC, and Annapolis. One of my classmates from the U.S. Capitol Police set up a tour through the Capitol Building that was excellent. We got to see the House Floor and learn quite a bit of the building’s history. There was far too much to present here, but if you are coming to DC, contact your Congressional Representative early to arrange a tour. You won’t be disappointed. Another of the weekend highlights came during our trip to Arlington National Cemetery. We watched a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns and then walked down to the United States Marine Corps Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. We happened on the Marines from the famed 8th and I Barracks in DC conducting a parade to celebrate the USMC birthday. The Commandant of the Corps was spoke, as did the former Commandant, General James Jones. It was an impressive and moving ceremony.

 

As I’ve said before, this is a great program, but I’m looking forward to getting home to see family, friends and get back to work. At the same time, I know that as soon as I leave here I will miss the many friends I’ve made over the last seven weeks. It has definitely been a worthwhile experience and one of the high points of my career.

 

Lt. Craig Schwartz of Santa Rosa Police Department  posted his experiences at the FBI National Academy on Facebook. 

Lt Craig Schwartz
Lt Craig Schwartz, Santa Rosa Police Department
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FBI National Academy Update 10-29-12

Craig Schwartz posting on Santa Rosa Police FB page:

FBI National Academy Update 10-29-12

About 100 members of Session 251 went to New York City last weekend on the class trip that is arranged for each session by the students from NYPD. We loaded the buses on Friday afternoon and drove up to our Hotel a few blocks from Times Square. The 5 hour bus ride went relatively quickly, and we were able to explore Times Square late Friday night. This was my first time there, and it was an incredible place. I kept thinking of the song lyrics about the city that never sleeps. That is absolutely correct. The place was packed late into the night. The big screens all over the place lit up the streets and many were in costume, hopefully for Halloween.

Real Time Crime Center
NYPD’s Real Time Crime Center
The group got tours of the NYPD Museum, NYPD Headquarters at One Police Plaza, and the NYPD Special Operations Division at Floyd Bennett Field. One of the NYPD students in our class is a Sergeant assigned to the Real Time Crime Center at headquarters and the other was just accepted into the NYPD Aviation Unit to be trained as a helicopter pilot. The Real Time Crime Center is a great concept. It is staffed 24/7 and has giant screens along one wall with numerous feeds available, from NYPD and private surveillance cameras to cable tv. Their detectives and analysts provide real-time data to officers and detectives working cases on the street. For example, when a major crime occurs, the RTCC can instantly access the 911 call and push it out to the officers on the scene. They can run records checks from numerous sources on names, license plates, etc., find links and get that information out right away to help the cop on the street. It is a great capability. We also saw the Joint Operations Center at headquarters. This is an even bigger operation with screens along all four walls, seats and computers for people from numerous departments. The JOC serves as New York’s EOC, and is manned right now for Hurricane Sandy. The amount of information available in the RTC and JOC is incredible, with much of it focused on NYPD’s mission of counter terrorism.
NYPD Joint Operations Center at One Police Plaza
Special Operations Division
The Special Operations Division put on an air-sea rescue demonstration. They co-locate their aviation and scuba assets, so that they are able to rapidly respond to emergencies in the waters around New York. They also have an impressive boat capability. For the demonstration, they dropped two divers from one of their Bell helicopters (looks like an updated Huey) into the water to rescue a “victim”, and then picked them all up with a Zodiac. The NYPD helicopters, and many of the officers, carry radiation detection devices that are so sensitive they have alarmed for people who recently underwent radiation treatment for cancer.
NYC Time Square sensory overload
New York City-an amazing place to be
We were also able to see some of the New York attractions like Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial, and the Empire State Building. It was an interesting and worthwhile trip. The NYPD treated us well and even surprised us with a performance by a group from their Pipe and Drum Band at dinner on Saturday. One of the things that stuck with me from the trip was the tremendous scope of everything in the City, from the size and population of the city to the size of the NYPD and their capabilities. It was a great place to visit, but there are some real differences in organizational culture and attitudes between NYPD and what I am used to in Santa Rosa. It was a great place to see, but I’m glad I live and work where I do.
We’re back in Quantico now, and classes are cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. The storm hasn’t been anything special so far here, but they are predicting the worst winds to hit between 8 pm and 1 am tonight. Hopefully the effects won’t be too bad and people are staying indoors and safe. ‘till next time….
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Law Enforcement Training

The following is a guest post from Craig Schwartz, a Lieutenant (for now) at Santa Rosa Police Department. He is posting on Facebook under the SRPD page. This is a copy of the first post. The intro is from the FBI website explaining the purpose of the academy.

I think you’ll agree–this kind of training only furthers the professionalism of all cops, through the ranks.

 

FBI National Academy seal
FBI National Academy seal

The National Academy

The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders that serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.

Its mission is “to support, promote, and enhance the personal and professional development of law enforcement leaders by preparing them for complex, dynamic, and contemporary challenges through innovative techniques, facilitating excellence in education and research, and forging partnerships throughout the world.”

Who attends.

Leaders and managers of state and local police, sheriffs’ departments, military police organizations, and federal law enforcement agencies. Participation is by invitation only, though a nomination process. Participants are drawn from every state in the union, from U.S. territories, and from over 150 international partner nations. See below for more details on graduates over the years.

The course of study.

For 10 classroom-hour weeks, four times a year, classes of some 250 officers take undergraduate and/or graduate college courses at our Quantico, Virginia, campus in the following areas: law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism/terrorist mindsets, leadership development, communication, and health/fitness. Officers participate in a wide range of leadership and specialized training, and they share ideas, techniques, and experiences with each other, creating lifelong partnerships that span state and national lines.

Lt Craig Schwartz
Lt Craig Schwartz

Craig Schwartz

Hello everyone,

We have finished our first week here in Quantico, with 10 to go. This has been a tremendous experience so far, with great classes and instructors along with excellent opportunities to meet and learn from other law enforcement leaders from around the world. There are 262 students in session 251 of the FBI National Academy, representing 49 states and over 20 foreign countries. I have met students from Kurdistan in northern Iraq, France, Argentina, Hungary, Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Afghanistan, Antigua, Ukraine, and more. It is interesting to talk to leaders from agencies in other states to learn how they deal with the law enforcement and management issues we all face. My roommate is from a small department in Kansas, with 13 employees serving a population of 5,000 people. Despite the small size of his agency, he has been able to share experiences with programs that are worth evaluating for our department.

I have six classes here. The classes are both graduate and undergraduate level courses accredited through the University of Virginia. The two I will focus on in this update are: Intelligence Theory and Application for Law Enforcement Managers; and Solving Ethical Dilemmas in Law Enforcement. The intelligence class focuses on using data and intelligence to drive law enforcement operations, as well as methods for sharing that information between law enforcement agencies. We will have several guest speakers in the class, including Debra Piehl, a project manager for Data Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS). The class on ethics has already resulted in lively discussions about moral and ethical dilemmas from history and those we currently face. It is a class that challenges our ideas about ourselves and how we look at the world. Both classes should provide excellent learning points to bring home with me.

The Academy also focuses a great deal on fitness, with three fitness classes each week and two physical challenges for students. One, the Yellow Brick Road, culminates in a 6.1 mile run which includes a 3+ mile section over the Marine Corps endurance course. There are 26 obstacles on the course. We participate in a challenge each week, until we do the Yellow Brick Road Course in week 10. Students who complete the challenge are awarded a yellow brick with their class number stenciled on it. The other challenge is for the blue brick. To complete that challenge students must swim at least 34 miles during the program. I’m five miles in after week 1.

Each Wednesday is an enrichment day, with guest speakers and other events scheduled. More on that next time…

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