Full Notification

Sheriff Keith Nygren is proud to announce that Lt. James Popovits graduated from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia on Friday, December 16, 2011. Lt. Popovits is the Commander of the Investigations Bureau of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. The graduation ceremony included two hundred and sixty-six law enforcement officers. FBI Director Robert Mueller was the principal speaker at the ceremony. The 247th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 49 states. Included in the class were members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 25 international countries, three military organizations, and six federal civilian organizations.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers 11 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, these officers have 19 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive level positions.

Training for the program is provided by FBI Academy instructional staff, special agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia due to the accreditation by the university of the many courses offered.

The graduating officers were represented by the class spokesperson, Enoch F. Willard, Detective Captain, with the Manchester Police Department, Manchester, New Hampshire. A total of 45,297 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy since it began in July 1935. Of this number, approximately 27, 785 are still active in law enforcement work.

Sheriff Nygren is dedicated to continued training and education of Sheriff’s Office personnel. Through the years, the Sheriff’s Office has sent many of the upper-level command staff to the National Academy for advanced training. The National Academy provides advanced leadership training which promotes efficient and progressive management of the Sheriff’s Office.