Chief Bishop Graduates from the FBI National Academy

Kewaskum Police Chief Tom Bishop recently joined the ranks of an elite group of law enforcement professionals after successfully completing the ten week FBI National Academy in Virginia.
This academy is considered a world-renowned leadership and training program that is reserved for less than one percent of law enforcement officers worldwide.
Chief Bishop explained that the opportunity was more than just professional development; it was the fulfillment of a long-term goal.
“The FBI National Academy is considered one of the best training programs for executive law enforcement officers,” Officer Bishop said. “It’s been a goal of mine since I became chief.”
Held at the FBI training facility in Quantico, Virginia, the academy brings together law enforcement executives from across the globe, and the coursework is rigorous as it covers topics from critical incident leadership to forensic science. The Chief stated the networking opportunities were the most valuable aspect of this experience.

“The classes I took were excellent and very insightful,” he said. “I was able to meet and get to know law enforcement executives from literally all over the world as there were international students in our class as well. [I was] able to expand my network and [am] able to make a phone call to any of those folks in a crucial situation.”
Getting accepted into the FBI National Academy isn’t easy. In fact, officers must be nominated by a previous graduate before even being considered. For Chief Bishop, the process included an application, an in-depth FBI background investigation, multiple interviews with colleagues, a medical clearance, and even a timed one-mile run under ten minutes.
“It is an incredible honor to be nominated and chosen to attend the FBI National Academy. There are many high quality leaders in our profession who don’t get this opportunity. I’m just lucky to have the support I needed to attend from my family, co-workers, Village Administration, Village Board and our great community,” mentioned the Chief.
Throughout the training, the Kewaskum officer enrolled in advanced courses such as Critical Incident Leadership, Navigating Disasters, Wellness in Law Enforcement, Police and Media Relations, Forensic Science, and Physical Training. Each course, he stated, will directly influence the way he serves the Kewaskum community, not just as a police chief, but as a person.
“All of those classes have a direct impact on how I lead our department and Village every day. They also impacted my personal life and I wholeheartedly believe I left there a better person, husband, father, and chief than when I left here on January 1,” said Officer Bishop.
As the Emergency Manager for the Village of Kewaskum, Bishop made sure to pay more attention to how other communities handle crises. From hurricanes in the Carolinas to wildfires in California and the ongoing border issues in the south, real-world insights helped shape the Chief of Kewaskum’s own plans for preparing the Village for potential future emergencies.
“The instructors were mostly retired or active FBI Special Agents with a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from. However, even more so than the instructors, some of the best learning moments came from my classmates with experiences from around different parts of the country and the world.”
Bishop’s experience was made even more special by a surprise visit from his former lieutenant, Mark Steiner. Steiner flew out to attend the graduation, joining Bishop’s family in celebrating his accomplishment.
“On a personal note, my former Lt., Mark Steiner, who retired last year, surprised me by flying out with my family and attending my graduation. It was a very special surprise and I am very appreciative of his support! He knew how important this training was to me and wanted to show his support, even though he no longer works with me. It was a great surprise,” recalled the officer.
Bishop also received his diploma from newly-appointed FBI Director Kash Patel. He stated this was a memorable moment given the current political landscape and changes happening within the FBI.
In addition to the extensive training and leadership development, all courses at the FBI National Academy are accredited through the University of Virginia. While many attendees used the program to pursue graduate-level credits, Chief Bishop already holds a master’s degree and focused fully on absorbing the knowledge and experiences the academy had to offer.
Officer Bishop’s commitment to advancing his education and enhancing his professional skills is greatly appreciated by the community. The Village of Kewaskum congratulates him on this significant achievement!