Campus Deputy Chief of Police Graduates from FBI National Academy
A Fairmont State University officer was among the 215 law enforcement officers who graduated on Dec. 19, 2014, from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Va.
Matt Swain is Deputy Chief of Police for the Department of Public Safety, which serves Fairmont State and Pierpont Community & Technical College.
Swain was a security officer while a criminal justice student at FSU. Upon his graduation from FSU in 2006, he was appointed as a police officer. He is also a graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy. Prior to his promotion to Deputy Chief of Police in 2011, he served as a police sergeant. Swain provides routine police services as well as serves as the department’s Clery Act coordinator and provides assistance to the Chief of Police in the management and supervision of police operations. Swain and his wife, Emily, and their son, Jeffrey, reside in Fairmont.
“It was truly an honor to have spent 11 weeks with the best law enforcement executives in the world,” Swain said. “In addition to the excellent training from the courses, one of the most beneficial things about the Academy is the network of other enforcement officers that was established throughout the world. I learned just as many lessons outside of the classroom from the other officers as I did from the professors inside the classroom. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to represent Fairmont State University.”
Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management Jack Clayton nominated Swain for an invitation to the academy.
“I felt that was a good opportunity for him as one of our administrative officers to be exposed to some of the latest technology and management training to better prepare him for his career here at the University and Pierpont,” Clayton said.
The 258th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 49 states. Included in the class are members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 26 countries, three military organizations and four federal civilian organizations. FBI Director James Comey was the principal speaker at the graduation ceremony. The graduating officers were represented by the class spokesperson, Michael Dahl, Captain, Washington State Patrol, Olympia, Wash.
Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers 11 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, these officers have 19 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
Training for the program is provided by the FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.
Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia due to the accreditation by the university of the many courses offered.
A total of 47,898 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy since it began in July 1935. Of this number, approximately 16,233 are still active in law enforcement work.
Matt SwainPublic SafetyJack ClaytonFBICollege of Liberal ArtsCriminal Justice
