George C. Jackson, a lieutenant in the Virginia Tech Police Department, recently completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Academy Program, a professional course of study for law enforcement leaders that serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation.

The 10-week program, held at the FBI’s training facility in Quantico, Va., includes approximately 250 law enforcement professionals from all 50 states and other international partners who were selected through a competitive nomination process. Less than one percent of all applicants are accepted.

“Lt. Jackson’s participation in the National Academy is a tremendous honor for him and our department,” said Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum, who also completed the program in 2005. “He represents the very best law enforcements officers in the nation, and his experience there will not only benefit our department, but law enforcement agencies across the New River Valley and the state.”

Participants study law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism/terrorist mindsets, leadership development, communication, and health/fitness and engage in a wide range of leadership and specialized training opportunities.

Graduates of the program have the opportunity to join the FBI National Academy Associates, an organization of more than 15,000 law enforcement professionals who actively work to continue developing higher levels of competency, cooperation, and integrity across the law enforcement community.

A member of the Virginia Tech Police Department since 2002, Jackson began as a patrol officer, moved to criminal investigations in 2004, and was promoted to patrol lieutenant in 2007. He previously served as a sniper on the Emergency Response Team.

Jackson serves as the department’s evidence technician, having graduated from the Virginia Forensic Science Academy.

In 2008, Jackson received the university’s President’s Award for Excellence for extraordinary contributions in the performance of one’s job or single incident, contribution, or heroic act. In 2007, he processed evidence at both West Ambler Johnson Hall and Norris Hall under the most difficult of circumstances. The following morning, he was assigned to the command post and began assisting other agencies including the Virginia State Police and the FBI.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

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