Capt. Bradley Wells, chief of detectives, began the FBI's Academy in April and is expected to graduate in June. Capt. Marc McLemore, patrol division commander, will begin the academy in July.
Participation in the FBI Academy is by invitation only. Applicants must be prepared for three months of rigorous training, said Sheriff Bob Hertz.
"It's not a cake walk," Hertz said. "If you aren't in good shape both mentally and physically, you aren't going to make it. They will just ask you to leave if you aren't cutting it."
Officers receive training in investigations, drug interdiction, forensics, profiling, community policing and other law enforcement topics.
Hertz graduated from the academy in 1983. Chief Deputy Sheriff John Lakin graduated in 2005. Capt. Don Blunt, head of the civil process unit, graduated in 2003. Capt. Eric Decker, head of administrative services, graduated in 2006.
"They graduate 1,000 law enforcement agents per year," Hertz said. "So, it's pretty prestigious that I have two officers graduating in one year."
Expenses for the training are covered by the FBI, with the county providing a small per diem payment to the officers to cover incidental expenses.
"The only thing I lose is the manpower when they are gone," Hertz said.
The FBI Academy has been in operation since 1935.
McLemore, of Godfrey, has been with the Sheriff's Department since June 1992.
Wells, of Wood River, has worked with the sheriff's department since March 1992.
Contact reporter Beth Hundsdorfer at bhundsdorfer@bnd.com or 239-2570.
