History

John Edgar Hoover ( 1895 – 1972)

HISTORY OF THE FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY

The importance of professional preparation for the practice of law enforcement cannot be overly stressed. Training, in the rods of the late Director of the FBI and founder of the National Academy, J. Edgar Hoover, is “truly indispensable to good law enforcement.”

The FBI´s role in advancing the cause of professionalism goes back many decades. The origin of the FBI national Academy can be traced to the early 1930´s when public alarm over the rise of lawlessness prompted President Franklin D, Roosevelt to request a national conference on crime. This conference called for the establishment in Washington, D.C. of a national scientific and educational center for training police officers.

AS a result, a 12-week training program, designated the “national police academy”, was developed. The curriculum dealt with basic law enforcement functions and problems, and Special Agents od the FBI, together with specialists from outside the Bureau, served as instructors. The first session of the “National police Academy” attended by 23 officers, commenced on July 29, 1935.

Over the years, this training program—later to be identified as the FBI National Academy—has expanded both in enrolment and instructional scope. In 1962, at the specific request of President John F. Kennedy, officers from friendly foreign countries began attending the National Academy. In June, 1972, nearly 38 years after its birth, the FBI national Academy marked a significant milestone in its development when the 90th Session began training in newly expanded facilities at Quantico, Virginia. During the following year, more officers were graduated than attended the National Academy during the previous five years.

Officer attending the FBI National Academy are offered, on a cost-free basis a comprehensive and balanced 11-week program of advanced professional instructions. Throughout this training particular emphasis is placed on leadership development. The impressive number of graduates who have achieved top executive positions in their respective agencies is a continuing source of pride to the National Academy.

Since the opening of the new FBI training complex at Quantico, Virginia, the National Academy program has undergone substantial revision, and presently offers a highly flexible and varied curriculum. Through an affiliation with the University of Virginia, National Academy students are able to earn substantial college credit for academic portion of the curriculum, which includes a number of elective courses. Each student who complets 19 semester hours of academic work with an average of “C” or better is awarded a certificate in Criminal justice Education by the University. A wide range of vocational subjects further complements a program designed to serve the needs of the National Academy´s diverse student body.

Interwoven throughout the student´s National Academy experience is encouragement toward positive lifestyle modification and attention to personal health and fitness. The physical training program includes lectures on health topics and the National Academy is enhanced by “The Challenge”, a voluntary 11-week physical fitness program offered to all students.

ADMINISTRATION AN STAFF

The national Academy´s instructional staff is primarily composed of experienced FBI Special Agents holding graduate degrees. These highly qualified instructors bring to the classroom advanced knowledge and expertise from a practical law enforcement perspective. In addition to the regular facility, a number of Special Agents are assigned as counselors to each Session of the National Academy and stand ready to assist each student, on a personal basis, when necessary.

The FBI National Academy´s affiliation with the University of Virginia involves more than course accreditation by the University´s School of Continuing Education. The research and instructional resources of the various schools at the University lend deep academic support to the National Academy program. A full-time liason representative of the University maintains an office at the Academy and is available for student consultation in such matters as transfer of credit and other academic matters of an administrative nature.

Ti further enrich the National Academy program, lectures from the University of Virginia and other educational institutions, together with outstanding speakers and experts from the criminal justice field and related areas, are used extensively.

FACILITIES

Since June, 1972 all national Academy instruction has been conducted at the expanded, ultramodern FBI Academy located some 40 miles south of Washington, D.C. Situated on the United States Corps Base at Quantico, Virginia, amid rolling woodlands, the training complex consists of spacious, superbly equipped living and instructional facilities.

Uniquely designed classroom incorporating advanced educational technology m such as closed-circuit television and an automated informational storage and retrieval system permit great instructional flexibility. A highly sophisticated student response system allows the instructor to immediately assess the student´s comprehension of the material presented.

Conference room and special-purpose classrooms, constructed and equipped to handle such technical subjects as fingerprinting, photography, and crime-scene investigations, fully complement these facilities.

Conveniently located within the Academy complex is the Library, a total learning resource center which contains a balanced collection of reading material including an extensive legal section, and a wide selectio0n of visual study aids. A dial-access system makes available to the student other forms of instructional material, such as audio and video tape recording, as well as actual classroom presentations.

Three dormitories, Jefferson (13-story), Madison, and Washington (7-story), comfortably house all resident students at the FBI Academy. Rooms as fully furnished with individual study desks and bathroom facilities. Comfortable lounge and recreational areas are situated in the dormitories for use of residents.

Adjacent to the dormitories is a large dining areas with prompt and efficient cafeteria service. Refreshment bar, banking facilities, mall room, post exchange, and other personal service accommodations are nearby. In addition to all meals, dry cleaning and laundry services are provide the National Academy student on a cost-free basis. Any other personal expenses must be absorbed by the student or his agency, such as any uniform requirements for classroom, gymnasium and firearms range.

Practical exercise training is an excellent method for law enforcement instruction and training. Hogan´s Alley provides the realistic environment necessary. This facility combines training/office/classroom space into commercial and industrial areas. It contains a bank, post office, drug store, rooming house, bar/eli, pool hall, pawn shop (actually a front for a clandestine casino), motel, movie theatre, trailer park, warehouse area, and a residential street with townhouses and apartments.