Linn County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Commander Kevin Guilford has recently completed one of the toughest challenges available for local law enforcement professionals. Cpt. Guilford attended a ten week session from April through June, at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Cpt. Guilford and a total of two hundred and twenty-seven other law enforcement professionals attended the 268th Session of the National Academy, which consisted of men and women from 47 state agencies, law enforcement organizations from 24 international countries, five military organizations, and seven federal civilian organizations.
There is a highly competitive process that law enforcement must go through before being selected for this honor. This process included a nomination by Sheriff Riley; interviews of Cpt. Guilford and co-workers to determine leadership skills and abilities; a background check; a determination of physical fitness; and the support of former National Academy graduates within the candidate’s organization.
The FBI National Academy is internationally known for its academic excellence, which offers 10 weeks of advanced communications, leadership, and fitness training for selected individuals having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, FBI National Academy attendees have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions. A total of 50,141 graduates now represent the alumni of the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935.
Cpt. Guilford has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, starting as a reserve deputy with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office in 1994. Cpt. Guilford was hired for full time employment in 1995 as a resident deputy, working the Mill City area. He has since served his community as a D.A.R.E. officer, marine deputy, defensive tactics instructor, Dive Team member, reserve coordinator, Patrol Sergeant and Patrol First Sergeant.
“We are very proud of Cpt. Guilford’s accomplishments in the FBI National Academy, which is a significant milestone in his career,” said Sheriff Bruce Riley. The citizens of Linn County will benefit greatly from Cpt. Guilford’s National Academy experience, increasing the quality of services and professionalism we provide to all of Linn County.