The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is announcing that Administrative Captain Derek J. Allen has been selected and approved to attend an upcoming session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (FBINA). In October 2017, Captain Allen was nominated by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office to attend the FBINA. Since then, Captain Allen has undergone a vetting process and recently learned that he has been selected and approved by the FBI to attend an upcoming session. The FBINA, established in 1935, is a professional course of study for United States and international law enforcement officials. Four (4) times a year, some 225-250 law enforcement leaders converge on Quantico, Virginia for the FBINA. During the 11-week session, Captain Allen will enroll in University of Virginia accredited courses. In addition to the coursework, a large emphasis is placed on physical fitness. Each week, academy attendees participate in a fitness challenge culminating in the final challenge, the Yellow Brick Road. The Yellow Brick Road is a 6.1 mile run/obstacle course.The mission of the FBINA is “to support, promote, and enhance the personal and professional development of law enforcement leaders by preparing them for complex, dynamic, and contemporary challenges through innovative techniques, facilitating excellence in education and research, and forging partnerships throughout the world.” Less than 1% of all law enforcement leaders worldwide are awarded the opportunity to attend the FBINA. The last Sheriff’s Office Deputy to attend the FBINA was retired Major George Ritter in 1996.