10-week course to begin in Quantico, Va., in July, concludes in September

Wed, 05/16/2018 - 6:30pm

Erica Thoms

Chief Deputy Jason Trundy poses with his acceptance letter. (Photo courtesy of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office)

BELFAST — Waldo County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jason Trundy has been selected to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy, a 10-week professional course, according to Sheriff Jeffrey Trafton.

The program is designated for “U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities,” according to the FBI. Nominees come from every state and participants are selected after the candidates are reviewed.

“The FBI notified us that there was an opportunity for someone from Maine to go and so I immediately thought of Chief Trundy because he is very much a professional,” Trafton said.

Trafton also said that he firmly believes that someday Chief Trundy will be sheriff, “and this course is for those upper police executives.”

The course takes place at the FBI’s headquarters in Quantico, Va., where Chief Trundy will stay during his training.

According to the FBI, coursework covered during the program includes intelligence theory, terrorism and terroristic mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science.

The program “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.”

“It’s cutting-edge law enforcement on [an international] scale and of course the FBI brings instructors in, and resources that we can’t, at a state level, we can’t match it,” Trafton said. “It’s a very sought after course for police executives and like I said, we’re very pleased and proud that Chief Deputy Trundy was selected to go to the course.”

The Sheriff’s Office previously lost a deputy to the Secret Service after he was hired by the Department of Homeland Security late last year.

“My feeling is that just goes to show you the quality of people that we have working here at the Sheriff’s Office,” he said of Trundy’s the deputy’s move and Chief Trundy’s impending FBI National Academy attendance.

Trundy will be attending the 273rd session of the National Academy and is the first member of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office to do so.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com