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September 19, 2022

McHenry Police Deputy Chief Thomas Walsh became the ninth officer in the department to graduate from the prestigious FBI National Academy.
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McHenry Police Deputy Chief Thomas Walsh became the ninth officer in the department to graduate from the prestigious FBI National Academy.

Features • September 19, 2022

McHenry Police Deputy Chief joins the fewer than one percent of police officers to graduate from the FBI National Academy

By

MCHENRY—John Birk, chief for the McHenry Police Department, announced that Deputy Chief Thomas Walsh recently had the honor of graduating as a member of the 283rd session of the FBI National Academy.

The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities, according to the FBI’s website.

The 10-week program provides participating officers coursework in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science.

Walsh’s graduation ceremony took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on Sept. 13.

According to McHenry Police Public Affairs Officer Michael Spohn, Walsh is the ninth officer from the McHenry Police Department to complete the prestigious FBI program, which can only be attended by those invited after the nomination process.

Spohn states that fewer than 1% of police officers nationally get the opportunity to attend the program.

The FBI program also puts participants through rigorous fitness training, including making officers run a grueling 6.1-mile course through a hilly, wooded trail built by the U.S. Marines, in a final test called the “Yellow Brick Road.”

Participants invited to the program must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend.

On average, officers who attend the program have at least 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

The 283rd session consisted of 235 law enforcement officers from 49 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, the class included members of law enforcement agencies from 21 countries, five military organizations, and five federal and civilian agencies.

Walsh joined the ranks of the McHenry Police Department back in 1996, where he has worked for over 26 years.

Walsh’s previous positions within the department include serving as a patrol/detective sergeant for five years and serving as a commander for five years. He was promoted to the rank of deputy chief in 2017.