COAL TOWNSHIP - Coal Township Detective Jeffrey Brennan is among elite company in law enforcement.
On Friday, he became the first police officer in Northumberland County history to graduate from the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy Program in Quantico, Va.
Brennan, 44, who has been a Coal Township police officer since 1994, was among 246 law enforcement officers throughout the world to graduate from the academy.
Less than one percent of law enforcement officers in the United States have the distinction of graduating from the 10-week program. Brennan, who was selected by the FBI to participate in the academy following a competitive application process, completed classes in homicide investigations, terrorism, drugs, leadership, media relations and physical fitness.
Mueller presents certificate
Training for the program is provided by FBI Academy instructional staff, special agents and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.
Brennan, who began the training on April 4, was presented his graduation certificate by FBI Director Robert Mueller during a 90-minute ceremony Friday attended by family members, friends, Coal Township Police Chief William Carpenter and Coal Township Manager Robert Slaby.
A total of 44,783 officers have graduated from the FBI National Academy since it was established in July 1935.
During an interview Monday afternoon at Coal Township Police Station, Brennan said he was honored to graduate from the academy, a goal he wanted to achieve since entering law enforcement.
"I am really grateful to Chief Carpenter and the Coal Township Board of Commissioners for giving me this unique opportunity to complete the FBI Academy Program," Brennan said. "I'm the first officer from the county to attain this status and it means a lot to me."
Brennan said the FBI paid for all his expenses, while Coal Township covered his detective's salary during his time at the academy.
He added that he is not leaving Coal Township to become an FBI agent.
"I am now a member of the FBI National Academy Association and the classes I completed at the academy will be very valuable to me as a township detective.
Brennan also earned 17 credits from the University of Virginia.
Received 'Yellow Brick'
Among Brennan's proudest accomplishments at the academy was receiving his "yellow brick" for completing a volunteer weekly challenge run known as "Yellow Brick Road," in which he increased his running distance from 1.8 miles to 6.1 miles over an eight-week period.
"I really enjoyed the training," Brennan said. "It was very rigorous and structured. We attended four classes per day and underwent various exercises throughout the program. They kept us busy."
The Shamokin resident said applying for and graduating from academy was a yearlong process.
"I did a lot of running and other exercises to prepare for the academy because I knew it was going to be strenuous," he said. "Personnel at the FBI office in Williamsport helped me a lot with the application process, which I had to complete with the FBI office in Philadelphia. When I found out the FBI selected me to attend the academy, it was a great feeling."
Chief pleased
Carpenter commended his detective for attaining the rare achievement.
"He already is a very good officer and the specialized training he obtained at the academy will enhance our police department," he said.
Coal Township Police Commissioner Craig Fetterman also praised Brennan.
"Our police are the gatekeepers to Coal Township, and it was a wise investment to send Jeff to the academy. We have to keep up with the latest techniques in fighting crime. We are all proud of him," Fetterman said.
Brennan, who is a son of the late James and Rose Brennan of Shamokin, graduated in 1985 from Shamokin Area High School before spending four years in the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Penn State University and a master's degree from California University of Pennsylvania.
He served as the school resource officer for Shamokin Area School District from 1996 to 2005 before being promoted to detective.
Brennan said his interest in law enforcement was spurred during his service in the Coast Guard when he was assigned to a law enforcement and small boat station in Cape May, N.J.
He thanked his friends and family members, including his sister, Judy Brennan, of Harrisburg, his fiance, Angela Furca, and her daughter, Kimberly, for supporting him during his training at the FBI Academy.