November 2022 Chapter Chat

BY OUR MEMBERS

PUBLISHED ON: November 15, 2022

The intent of this column is to communicate chapter news. Announcements may include items of interest, such as member news, section activities, events, training calendars, special programs, etc. Refer to the editorial submission deadlines, particularly with date sensitive announcements. Submit chapter news on the Chapter Chat Submission Form by the 25th of every month. Please attach to the email high-resolution digital .jpg or .tif photos to: chapterchat@fbinaa.org. 

Alaska

News

The Alaska Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates will hold their annual re-trainer, the Executive Development Conference December 6 -9, 2022. The conference is hosted at the Anchorage Police Department auditorium. We had excellent presenters: Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore on an update in Alaska laws, Chief Danny Langloss (Ret) Protecting the Protectors, Dr. Benjamin Stone, Heart Health and Wellness, Jim Kalmowski, Balancing the Badge, Jason Lehman, 21st Century Engagement, Paul Mellor, Leading with a better Memory, Capt. Tim Gately, Mindfulness and Police Leadership, John Bostain, Culture by Design. The training is well-attended from across the state and beyond by supervisors, commanders, and administrators. APD Captain Gerard Asselin, Vice President of the South Central Region has done an exceptional job of creating a program that will reach all areas of Law Enforcement and Leadership. Well done. 

We invite anyone who would like to attend to visit our website and check out the conference and activities. Conference — FBINAA (fbinaaak.org)

Colonel Tom Anderson (Ret AST) and Mark Pearson (APOA past president) (Photo by APOA)

Colonel Tom Anderson, NA Session 85, was awarded the Alaska Police Officers Association (APOA) Lifetime Achievement Award. Colonel Anderson was born and raised in Minnesota. He served two years in the US Army and two years in the Seattle Fire Department before being recruited by the Alaska State Police in 1961. The State Police became the Alaska State Troopers in 1967 and Colonel Anderson served for 22 years before retiring.

During his service he was stationed in Fairbanks, Barrow and Anchorage. He progressed up the ranks from Trooper to Colonel. During the pipeline era he was Captain in charge of the newly formed statewide Criminal Investigation Bureau. Upon being appointed Director in 1977 he initiated the research and justification for the formation of the States Crime Laboratory. 

Colonel Anderson is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement from Sheldon Jackson College. He’s a lifetime member of the Alaska Peace Officers Association since 1964, serving as a statewide President from 1969-1970. He’s a lifetime member of the Alaska Chief of Police Association and one of the founding members of the Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers serving on the board from its creation and currently.  In 2012 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for 50 years of Public Safety Service. Rotary International has also awarded a Paul Harris Fellow to Colonel Anderson.  

Colonel Anderson has been an exemplary graduate from the National Academy, and we are proud to have him represent our state. (Care of APOA)


California

News

Congratulations to Gustine Police Chief Ruben Chavez, NA Session 232, and the Gustine Police Department, who had the honor of hosting Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who came to Gustine for a meet and greet. To honor the connection to the Portuguese community, the Gustine police officers wore the special Festa shoulder patches with the US/Portuguese flags displayed.


Chief Chavez with Portuguese President Rebelo de Sousa and Gustine officers.


Retirements


Assistant Chief of Police, Marc Coopwood

Congratulations go out to Assistant Chief of Police, Marc Coopwood, NA Session 253, who has retired from the City of Beverly Hills Police Department. Prior to becoming the Assistant Chief, Marc was a Police Captain with the Sacramento Police Department. Marc is a two-time President of the California Peace Officers’ Association (CPOA) and is a graduate of the FBINA, P.O.S.T. Command College and the Senior Management Institute for Police. Not wasting any time, Marc had two days of retirement before stepping right in as the Vice President, Public Sector, for Apex Technology Management, leading teams in developing and implementing cybersecurity programs in the public sector.  We wish Marc well in his new career! 


Captain Christopher J. Williams

Congratulations to Captain Christopher J. Williams, NA Session 279, who retired from the El Monte Police Department earlier this year. We wish him all the very best in his retirement.


Passings


Our condolences go out to the family, friends and loved ones of FBINA graduate, Edwin “Ed” Flint Jr., NA Session 201, who sadly passed away in May of this year. Ed was a retired US Army Colonel (91st Division) and a retired Chief of Police. He started his career as a CHP officer in 1973 and four years later transferred to the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department.  Ed went on to become the Chief of Police for Santa Rosa PD (2004—2008) and later the Chief of Atherton Police Department. R.I.P. Chief Flint and thank you for your service.

Connecticut

News


On October 13, the CT Chapter’s Fairfield County Luncheon was hosted by Grace Farms in New Canaan, CT. Connecticut’s recently appointed Chief State’s Attorney, Patrick Griffin, spoke to the attendees about current events and issues facing the State’s Division of Criminal Justice. 


Chief State's Attorney Patrick Griffin (left) with Chapter President Tim Edwards at the Fairfield County Regional Luncheon

Promotions


The Stamford Police Department promoted Michael Noto, NA Session 266, to the rank of Captain. Captain Noto has served the City of Stamford for over 27 years. Congratulations on your promotion. 

Congratulations to Marc Petruzzi, NA Session 282, on his appointment as Captain of the Wethersfield, CT. Police Department. Before this appointment, Marc retired at the rank of Captain with more than 22 years of service with the Connecticut State Police.

Announcements


The Connecticut Chapter will hold the Annual Dinner Meeting and Holiday Party at the Ballo Italian Restaurant at the Mohegan Sun Casino on December 8th. More information will follow. 

Florida

Promotions

Major Mike Oh, NA Session 229, has been promoted to Major on August 25, 2022 for the Highland Beach Police Department, after serving as Lieutenant. Major Oh has over 32 years of law enforcement experience. Previously serving as a Commander at the lighthouse Point Police Department, in addition to currently being the Immediate Past President for the Florida FBINAA Chapter. Major Oh untiring dedication has been evident in not only the communities he has served, but also the Florida FBINAA.

Kansas/Western Missouri

News

The Eastern Missouri and Kansas/Western Missouri Chapters hosted a combined Retrainer at Margaritaville Resort located in beautiful Lake Ozarks, MO in late September. It was a great success with nearly 150 Chapter members and FBI staff who were able to attend!

Congrats to Jeff Self, NA Session 249, who was named as the 2022 recipient of the Clarence M. Kelley Award for Meritorious Service. This prestigious award is given to a Missouri Chapter member every fall for their contributions to law enforcement. Major Self has served with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for the past two years after nearly 30 years prior with the Gladstone, MO Police Department.


Clarence M. Kelley Meritorious Award winner Undersheriff Jeff Self (right) with Sheriff Will Akin of Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

During the Retrainer, Buck Buchanan, NA Session 270, was elected Second Vice President of our Chapter’s Executive Board during the fall business meeting. The 2022-23 Executive Board was officially sworn in on September 29th.  Congrats to Buck and our entire Board who tirelessly dedicate many hours in making our Chapter the best! They continue to plan for the 2024 National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri….so plan on joining us for a memorable conference July 20-23, 2024!


L-R : Frank Papish (NA Session 237) Immediate Past President, Scott Munsterman (NA Session 270) 1st Vice-President, Erik Holland (NA Session 260)
President, Kelli Bailiff (NA Session 200), President-Elect, Buck Buchanan (NA Session 270), 2nd Vice-President, Steve Cox (NA Session 143) Secretary-Treasurer

Congratulations to Chief Zim Schwartze, NA Session 231, who was honored by Missouri Governor Mike Parson with a Medal of Valor during the 2022 Mo Public Safety Awards Ceremony in September. Zim drove by a house on fire in rural mid-Missouri on February 10, 2021 and stopped to help. Another passerby called 9-1-1 while Zim ran into the house. She was able to wake a sleeping male subject and help him to safety along with five dogs. As Zim went back outside, she found the other passerby had collapsed in the driveway in cardiac arrest. She began chest compressions until fire, EMS, and deputies arrived. The Medal of Valor is Missouri’s highest award for public safety officers and awarded to those who exhibit exceptional courage, decisiveness, and swift action without regard for their own safety in their attempt to save a life.


Chief Zim Schwartze with Missouri Governor Mike Parson


Dennis Shaw, NA Session 227, has been named as the new Executive Director of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police. Dennis retired as the Chief of the McPherson, Kansas Police Department in 2011 and has continued to stay active in his Chapter and serves as the YLP Chair for the Kansas/Western Missouri Chapter. Congrats Dennis! 

Nebraska

News

FBI Director Christopher Wray made a recent visit to the Omaha Field Office to discuss violent crime and efforts at combatting cyber-crime. Kearny Police Chief and Nebraska Chapter President Bryan Waugh, NA Session 263, was invited to attend the meeting and discuss local efforts to team up with the FBI.


FBI Director Christopher Wray meets Nebraska Chapter President Bryan Waugh during a recent trip to the Omaha Field Office.

Additionally, the Nebraska Chapter held its fall luncheon at Boys Town in Omaha on September 30th. NAA members were joined by Boys Town residents and heard from various members of the staff and the current “Mayor” of Boys Town. Omaha SAC Gene Kowel and ASAC Phil Lenz were also able to attend lunch at this registered National Historic location. The luncheon is one of the two yearly events the chapter holds and moves around with various departments hosting the event. The Boys Town Police Department and NA grad Chief William Clark, NA Session 262, hosted the event that was well attending by many members.


After the Chapter fall luncheon at Boystown, members stopped for a photo opportunity with residents and the FBI SAC and ASAC.

Oregon

News

Fall Retrainer

While our attendance was down, we believe we had some good presentations and great networking. The business meeting was spirited for sure but provided some very insightful ideas moving forward. We very much appreciated the direct discussions on how we are doing as a chapter and where we need to be better.

Congratulations to Chief Deputy Erroll McCrea, NA Session 283, from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on being elected to the Board as incoming 2nd VP! Nice Job Erroll, we look forward to your ideas and perspective as we grow.

We had a fantastic presentation on the YLP experience from Hannah Gilbert, daughter of Lyle and Angela Gilbert. Lyle is NA Session 272. We know they were proud parents; she gives us hope for the future!

Regional Lunch

Past President Dave Rash has graciously put together a regional lunch at Common Block Brewing in Medford on October 28th. Please RSVP! 


FBINAA Charitable Foundation

To close out, we would like to share a story about the strength of this organization. We have all had that experience using this network to assist in investigations and making connections, social or otherwise, in other jurisdictions. This is a different kind of story. A few letters back President Womer spoke of being at the chapter leadership summit back at Quantico, and the presentation from the Charitable Foundation on the help they have provided members over the years who have found themselves in a tragic situation. Well as it turns out, we had one of those very instances this year in our own chapter.

One of our chapter members lost their home to fire this past year. we cannot imagine the level of loss something like this would be like. The board (Greg Olson) immediately reached out to Doug Muldoon at the Charitable Foundation who got board approval and sent out a check that VP Joe Hogue personally delivered. In speaking with Joe, it was an impactful moment. We can only imagine every little bit helps when you are trying to replace a lifetime of work and family memories.

This is not a pitch for money or anything like that. We merely wanted you all to know that as a chapter we donate every year to the Charitable Foundation at National. The funds the Chapter uses to donate comes from your dues and your participation in our training and social events. As a Chapter, we are only as strong as our commitment and participation to the organization.

We urge you all to reach back and remember the excellence and comradery we all felt when selected and attended the NA. We truly believe the organization can grow again and improve with each graduate and board member. Our dues and participation funded two BKH scholarships this year, and two other national scholarships were awarded to children of graduates, with the last ROI coming from National to one of our members in need after a tragic loss. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are way ahead of the game this year in terms of what we donated vs. what we received.

Promotions

 
Greg Pickering, NA Session 276, has been appointed as the Chief of Police for the City of Tualatin: Congratulations Greg Pickering! Well deserved!

Your incoming Chapter President is also climbing into the big chair; Congratulations Jason Harvey, NA Session 267, on being selected as Corvallis PD’s next Chief! Also well-deserved good sir!

President Womer also took the leap September 1st as the new Chief of Sunriver.

Apologize if we have missed anyone. If nobody tells us then we don’t know! Please shoot President Womer an email and we will get you in the next update.

 

Tennessee

News

December 7th, the TN Chapter will host their Annual Christmas dinner, recognitions for year's end and have a "dirty Santa" gift exchange. It will be held at the Embassy Suites, Franklin TN beginning at 6:30pm. Registration link is: https://form.jotform.com/212245127748153.

Promotions

David Powell with the Knoxville Police Department was promoted to Deputy Chief on October 3rd, 2022. He is a graduate of NA Session 255.


Clint Uselton has begun his duties as the new chief of police for the city of East Ridge in September. He accepted the position upon the recent retirement of former Police Chief Stan Allen. A resident of East Ridge for nearly 20 years, Chief Uselton joined the East Ridge Police Department in 1999 where he has held the ranks of patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant and assistant chief, prior to his current rank of chief of police. He graduated from the NA Session 276 and Tennessee Law Enforcement Executive Development. Chief Uselton has also attended numerous specialized schools on supervision, leadership, instructor development and traffic. 


Assistant Chief Josh Creel joined the East Ridge Police Department in 2001 and has held the ranks of patrol officer, detective and lieutenant prior to his current rank of Assistant Chief of Police with his recent promotion. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, NA Session 282 and has attended numerous specialized schools on firearms, narcotics, leadership, instructor development and investigative techniques.

Retirements


Police Chief Kevin Arnold announced his retirement after 33 years of service. He began his law enforcement career in 1980 as an officer with the Middle Tennessee State University Police Department, where he served for two years. After serving the next seven years with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Arnold joined the Smyrna Police Department in 1989. Beginning in patrol, he worked his way through the ranks, serving in investigations, as Major, and Assistant Chief. On April 4, 2007, Kevin Arnold was appointed as Chief of the Smyrna Police Department. Chief Arnold holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Middle Tennessee State University, and graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1997, NA Session 190.

After a distinguished 38-year career in law enforcement, East Ridge Police Chief Stan Allen was honored with a retirement reception. Local officials, co-workers, and invited guests attended a special reception at East Ridge Community Center on Thursday afternoon to bid him farewell and wish him the best on his retirement. Chief Allen started his law enforcement career with the Chattanooga Police Department in 1984. He took an early retirement in 2012 to accept a position in the private sector. In April 2015, he joined the East Ridge Police Department as assistant chief prior to being appointed police chief in 2019. He is also a graduate of the FBI Academy, NA Session 232, the world’s premier law enforcement and research center.

Announcements

 
Brian Rice with the Johnson City Police Department will assume the role of President of the TN Chapter FBI NAA on January 1, 2023. 

In 2023, the TN/KY Chapters will host their joint annual conference again in Nashville, TN. Dates are August 27-31st and the host hotel is the Hilton Downtown Nashville, adjacent to the Lower Broadway entertainment district. Registration will open in December and all NAA Members are invited to attend.

Virginia

News

 The FBINAA Virginia Chapter is very pleased to report its annual conference was a resounding success. This year the conference was held at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, Virginia and included presentations from law enforcement executives and other leaders from across the country. The chapter board is very appreciative of all the attendees and sponsors who made the annual conference so successful; and is looking forward to the 2023 annual conference.

Chapter President John McKee

Aurora (IL) Police Chief Kristen Ziman (Ret.)

Virginia State Police First Sergeant Peter Lazear

Julie Parker, Crisis Communications Presentation

Washington

News

 
Roy Skagen, Retired Asst. Chief of Seattle PD and NA Session 90 graduate, had a unique honor early in October. He was invited to bring a guest to attend the 50th Year Celebration of the when the FBI Academy opened its doors in the summer of 1972. The reason? Roy was in that very first Academy class.

The FBI, with the help of the NA staff, contacted a number of the graduates of Session 90; however only two were able to attend. Bill Stocker, retired Chief from Ohio brought his son John and Roy brought his son Marsh.

Roy described the week as a major milestone in his life and an incredible capstone on his 30-year career in law enforcement. “The hospitality, the tours, the displays of ‘Then and Now’ and our involvement with the hundreds of students going through the Academy were among the highlights.  It gave us an ability to greet them and share experiences.” Roy added “It was quite emotional and rewarding to appear on the auditorium stage with the FBI Director Christopher Wray and participate on a panel discussion where we shared our experiences at the famed Academy 50 years earlies.”

Roy said the auditorium was filled to capacity with 1,000 new FBI students, the current NA session class and law enforcement officials from around the country. “They told us the celebration was being recorded and sent live to 63 FBI field offices via satellite. We were also able to dine with Director Wray, mingle and address those in the audience. We attended the touching graduation exercise of 250 new FBI Special Agents as they began their careers in law enforcement.” Roy summarized his feelings by saying “It was an incredible experience. Bill and I as well as our sons are so grateful to the FBI for this opportunity we had to participate in this historic celebration. The week will never be forgotten. Bill and I felt we were really there representing more than the members of the 90th Session. We were representing all the NA graduates before and after….and all those who will be coming in the next 50 years. Godspeed to them all.”  


Roy Skagen, Sherrie Rebello, Bill Stocker


Roy Skagen and FBI Director Christopher Wray

Roy Skagen