FCSO Community Policing Division Chief Jonathon Welker has joined the 1% of law enforcement officers that receive an invitation for the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in April of 2023.
“This is a great honor for Chief Welker and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.
“The FBI National Academy is considered the ‘West Point’ of law enforcement. This type of training
continues my mission to provide opportunities and mentor employees, so the Sheriff’s Office remains
on the cutting edge of our profession.”
Chief Welker has been with the FCSO since 2007, and is a dedicated leader. Chief Welker is in charge of the Community Policing Division, or more commonly known as the uniform patrol, the largest division, and the most visible division to the public. The deputies under his command are also the first to arrive and respond to service calls. This division also includes K-9, Marine unit, traffic unit, motors unit, the C.O.P. unit, and the agricultural/ranch unit.
The FBI started the National Academy in 1935 in an effort to help standardize and professionalize law enforcement agencies in the U.S. It was originally named the “FBI Police Training School”.
This Academy is a 10 week program geered towards improving administration of justice in law enforcement. They goal is to raise standards, knowledge and cooperation throughout the world. This training is provided at no local cost, and the FBI pays for travel, training, meals and lodging costs.
Sheriff Staly is the only other employee that has graduated from the FBI National Academy.
