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Harrell graduates FBI National Academy Program
The 232nd session of the National Academy consisted of men and women form 48 states, the District of Columbia, 21 international countries, four military organizations and three federal civilian organizations. The internationally-known program offers 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. While participating in the academy, Harrell completed training on various subjects including, legal issues for command level officers, labor law issues for law enforcement administrators and fitness training. He said the latter was perhaps the toughest part of the program. "The goal was for each participant to run 6-1/2 miles by the time we graduated," he said. "If you completed that goal, you received a yellow brick from the 'Yellow Brick Road.'" Harrell explained that everything on the physical fitness training course has a theme from the "Wizard of Oz," movie, which explains the awarding of the yellow brick. "It's been that way for many years," he added. He went on to say that the physical training portion was very intense. He lost 19 pounds while there and he obtained his yellow brick. Top notch insturctors Instructors at the academy are very well versed in the subjects they teach, according to Harrell. "While there, I learned a great deal to help the chief (Charles Burge) with the management of this department," he said. "I would like to thank Chief Burge for nominating me and the mayor and council for allowing me to attend this training." Harrell earned all As on his exams and said he looks forward to utilizing what he learned for the benefit of the department and the citizens of Jackson. While intense physical training and classwork dominated the daylight hours for participants in the program, at night and on weekends there were opportunities for them to attend seminars conducted by professionals. Harrell said he took advantage of several of those opportunities. Those included Gordon Graham who is renowned for his instruction in risk management; Michael Durant, a U.S. pilot who was shot down in Somalia; Lt. Bobby Smith, a Louisiana State Trooper who was blinded when he was shot in the face during an altercation in 1980; and Jason Shechterle, an officer from Phoenix, Ariz. who was severely burned when his patrol car was rear-ended. One event Harrell said he really enjoyed took place not long after he arrived at the academy. International night is designed to give all the participants the opportunity to experience the various cultures of the international officers participating. "They put on the ritz for everyone else by bringing food and drink from their countries," he explained. "It was interesting to learn a little about people from other countries." Flag night is also designed to introduce participants from all the participating states and countries to each other. "The state flags and international flags are displayed in the cafeteria," he said. "Students from their various states and countries congregate by their flags and introduce themselves to one another." Harrell took advantage of opportunities to see some of the sights while in Virginia. He visited several Civil War battlefields, the National Rifle Association's Firearms Museum, Library of Congress, U.S. Supreme Court and the Smithsonian Institute Museum.
"This was an experience I will never forget and will always be thankful for," said Harrell. "But, it is good to be back at home with my family, friends and colleagues."
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