Sgt. Seeley

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The Presque Isle Police Department can now boast it has two graduates of the FBI National Academy Program – Chief Naldo Gagnon, who attended the academy several years ago; and most recently Sgt. Joey Seeley, who completed the training in June of this year.
Gagnon said it’s an honor to have a member of his department selected for the training and knows from his own experience how invaluable the classes are in doing the job of a police officer.
“It’s a difficult program to get into, often taking several years to gain acceptance. The fact Joey was one of only about 300 to be selected for this round of training and he was the only one from Maine – that’s quite an achievement,” said Gagnon, a graduate of the 205th session.
Seeley attended the academy from April 2 through June 8. While there, he earned 17 college credit hours certified by the University of Virginia.
“I attended some excellent classes – Drug Society and Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement, Contemporary Issues in Media Relations, Fitness in Law Enforcement and Legal Issues for Command-Level Officers, to name a few. All were 45 hours, except the fitness course which was 30,” said Seeley, a graduate of the 229th session.
The only officer from Maine during this round of training, Seeley’s class consisted of approximately 300 men and women from across the United States as well as 24 other countries. It was that diversity that Seeley said will be of the greatest use to him in the future.
“The biggest thing I gained was the officer contacts from all over the world – learning how things are done differently in other countries and states. This provides a wealth of resources to fall back on, when handling a case,” said Seeley.
Seeley was impressed by scientific advancements in the field of forensics.
“What I learned the most about were the unbelievable advancements in forensics and how far forensics have come, if you have the resources and money to follow through on investigations,” said Seeley.
He was impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities.
“It’s quite the facility. And to realize the FBI actually train there. It’s some of the best training I’ve ever been to,” said Seeley. “I probably won’t even see that caliber of instructors for that length of time ever again.”
One advantage over traditional college courses, according to Seeley, was the fact classes were made up of and instruction was given by law enforcement officers.
Internationally recognized for its high standards in academics, the program, held at the FBI Academy, provides training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. Officers, on average, have 19 years of law enforcement experience and often return to their departments to serve in executive-level positions.
Graduates were represented by class spokesperson Chief of Police William F. Huyler, of Morris County Park Police, Morristown, N.J. Since its creation in July 1935, 40,561 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy. Of that number, nearly 23,049 still are active in law enforcement.
During the 10 weeks away from home, Seeley lived in a dorm facility where participants were housed. Once there, Seeley’s classes, room and board were paid through the program. Seeley did, however, have to pay for his uniform and gear once there.
“The training is provided by the FBI, including one trip down and back. They reimburse the community for the officer’s travel,” explained Seeley.
Seeley said the training will not only benefit his work as an officer but the PIPD as well.
“The administrative courses I took will help with supervision. The forensic course gave me a broader base of experience – experience I can bring back to show other officers and explain what to look for when doing an investigation. The instructors were the best in their fields. It was a great experience,” said Seeley.
“I can now take that training and share that knowledge with those I work with. And if I have a question, I can pick up the phone and have nearly 300 contacts across the world to get help from,” he said.
Seeley said he feels fortunate to have been chosen and to have been allowed to go, adding he’s grateful to his family and co-workers for their support while he attended training.
“It was hard on my wife, Karen, and my kids, Tyler and Amy. But it’s behind us. Karen said it’s time to get back to the real world, the vacation’s over,” said Seeley. “And the staff at the PIPD were great, though my being away left them a bit short-handed. If it wasn’t for everyone’s support, I obviously wouldn’t have been able to go to attend the classes.”
Seeley said several people pitched in to help his wife in his absence, “otherwise Karen would have had to do it all. Karen and the kids flew out to attend my graduation and we vacationed for a week on the drive back.”
This has been an experience of a lifetime, one Seeley won’t soon forget.
“Less than 1 percent of law enforcement is invited to go, so very few people get to attend. Maine only has one seat per academy. The fact I had the opportunity to attend – that still amazes me. It was a chance of a lifetime,” said Seeley.