Albert calls FBI training great education
By Karen Mann
Only one percent of law enforcement officers

Albert

in the world are chosen to attend the FBI Academy. Police Chief Salvatore Albert fell into this one percent this summer.

Albert just returned from a 10week long training session at the

FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. While there, he took five college level courses, c o m p l e t e w i t h midterms and finals.

The number one thing he will take

back to Westminster is the need to

keep up on training, Albert said.

"Having a better educated, more professional officer leads to that officer being less of a liability and having less c o m p l a i n t s

against the officer," he said.

Another thing Albert brought back to the town, are future crimes trends in Westminster. He studied this in his Futuristic & Law Enforcement class. This was also something he was hoping to bring back from his training. Albert said there will be a lot of high-tech crimes, such as identity theft.

"The weapons of the future are computers," said Albert.

Albert took a management style and leadership class. He was very interested by the different management styles of other officers there, since they come from all parts of the world.

There were 262 fellow police officers and law enforcement officials at the academy, with over 30 different countries being represented.

"We all have the same problems, but we all deal with them differently," he said.

Albert enjoyed learned a lot from his fellow officers, since they all have different styles of policing.

One of the officers training with Albert was from the precinct in California that dealt with the O.J. Simpson murder investigation in the 1990s. That officer told

Albert

stories about how the case was handled, what was done and what wasn't. Albert said it was interesting to hear the real story compared to what was portrayed in the media.

Other classes Albert took were a behavioral science class, where the class discussed the mindset of criminals, and a forensic science course, where they learned about different forensic tools that can be used in an investigation.

Albert also took a gym class, in which he learned not only about physical fitness, but about nutrition. The officers monitored their weight and other health statistics while there, and were encouraged to continue to do so for the proceeding 10 weeks.

Albert participated in a challenge, called "Follow the Yellow Brick Road."

This was a combination of a run and an obstacle course; with the mileage and obstacles increasing each week. The final challenge was a nine-mile run with a full marine obstacle course. Albert completed this, and received his yellow brick.

Physical fitness is something Albert would like to focus on in Westminster. He learned that other precincts have programs where officers have to complete physical challenges, usually with a timed run. The programs tend to be voluntary, but come with an incentive for those who participate.

"I would love to implement a fitness program like this in the department," said Albert.

Besides being physically well, Albert also learned about what he referred to as being "spiritually well." He said this involves taking care of oneself mentally. Albert believes it's important for officers to have an outlet, such as a hobby or interest, because their job is so stressful.

Albert said all the training he received at the FBI Academy was worthwhile. He referred to it as the premier training for law enforcement.

Albert said he established lifelong relationships with some of the people there, and learned a lot from them.

"The best thing about it was networking," said Albert.

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Karen Mann is a 2006 graduate of Emerson College, in Boston, where she studied journalism. She resides in Townsend with her parents.