DeWitt County Lieutenant Investigator Bethany Hobbs graduated from the FBI National Academy on June 5, completing a prestigious, 10-week course considered one of the premier law enforcement training courses in the world.
Participation in the course was by invitation only, which she received after working with an FBI agent in a local training session. With a class size of 239 members, men and women from law enforcement agencies in 48 states, 14 countries, six military organizations, four federal civilian organizations and the District of Columbia added to their proven records as professionals in their agencies.
Lieutenant Hobbs holds a master’s degree in criminal justice, is a full-time officer with the DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office and is physically fit, exceeding all other required qualifications. Notably, she played a key role in recovering $300,000 in stolen funds from Nigerian cybercriminals in 2023.
“Being selected to the FBI National Academy is very rare,” DeWitt County Sheriff Carl Bowen said. “In fact, less than 1% of any law enforcement officer in the country will ever be selected for this training.”
. Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino delivered remarks at the ceremony. Class spokesperson Brandt "BT" Carmical with the Camp Robinson Police Department in North Little Rock, Arkansas represented the graduating officers.
FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits all the National Academy courses offered.
A total of 56,180 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.
