The City of Tullahoma is proud to announce that Police Chief Chase Sons has been accepted into the 293rd Class of the FBI National Academy, an elite training program held in Quantico, Virginia. Participation in the program is by competitive nomination, with less than 1% of law enforcement officers worldwide earning the honor. By his selection, Chief Sons joins a first-class group of law enforcement leaders from around the world chosen for their exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to community safety.
The FBI National Academy is internationally renowned for its advanced training in law enforcement management, leadership development, and cutting-edge investigative techniques. According to the FBI website, sessions include approximately 265 officers (including up to 35 international students), who take undergraduate and/or graduate courses at the FBI Academy campus. Classes are offered in a diverse set of areas, and officers participate in a wide range of leadership and specialized training. The program will provide Chief Sons with an invaluable opportunity to exchange ideas with other top law enforcement professionals and strengthen the Tullahoma Police Department's capacity to address the complex law enforcement challenges of the future.
“Being accepted into the FBI National Academy is both a personal and professional honor for me,” said Chief Sons. “I am excited to represent Tullahoma and bring back innovative strategies that will enhance our department’s efforts to serve and protect our community.” Chief Sons also spoke with Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller, who is a previous graduate from the program, who told him going to the academy was one of the highlights of his career. “Sheriff Fuller was excited to hear I was going to the academy. He said this is a rare opportunity that no law enforcement professional should pass up.”
Chief Sons started with the Tullahoma Police Department in 2011 has served as Tullahoma's interim chief since November of 2023 and then officially hired as police chief in February of 2024. Under his tenure, the department has implemented several initiatives such as school resource officers in each city school, updating and upgrading of patrol cars, crime prevention, and fostering positive relationships with Tullahoma residents.
Chief Sons was nominated to attend the academy by Deputy Chief Jason Kennedy, also a previous graduate of the academy, and then endorsed by City Administrator Jason Quick. Mr. Quick praised Chief Sons' selection, stating, “To be selected as a participant in the FBI National Academy is truly an honor that Chief Sons has earned through his leadership and focus on the future of law enforcement. Since being hired as the Police Chief for Tullahoma in February of this year, Chief Sons has done an outstanding job of aligning the police department with best practices standards for law enforcement. This includes providing multiple training opportunities for his staff to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to create a culture of excellence to serve the citizens of our community. Undoubtedly, he will represent our city well while acquiring the latest in law enforcement techniques that he will soon pass along to his people.”
The FBI National Academy's upcoming session will run for 10 weeks beginning January 3rd, offering participants an intensive curriculum that includes courses in intelligence theory, terrorism and counterterrorism, management science, behavioral science, and law enforcement strategies. It also includes a demanding fitness requirement that ends with a challenge called “The Yellow Brick Road,” a grueling 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the United States Marine Corps. Along the route, the 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. When (and if) the students complete this difficult test, they receive an actual yellow brick to memorialize their achievement.
“It will be hard to be away from my family and my community for ten weeks, and the Yellow Brick Road is going to be tough,” said Chief Sons, “but this once in a lifetime learning opportunity will be a great benefit both to my family and the city. I’m proud to represent Tullahoma at this level.”
Komentar