FBINAA Associate Q1 Magazine

THE ROLE OF THE FBINAA IN THE WELLNESS OF NON-ACTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS

HOLLY NICHOLSON-KLUTH

This article is about the role the FBINAA plays in keeping non-active and retired law enforcement leaders connected to a community, and how their health and wellness could benefit from aspects of membership. I also discuss the psycho- logical aspects of leaving a career that has embodied the philosophy and community of those who have served as long-time law-enforcement officers. T he value of the connections made during and after the FBI National Academy has been lauded for many years. The resources for professional advice and experience and the pool of high-level associates with whom to share policies and solutions are unmatched in any other organization. The value to a law en - forcement leader of having a personal and professional connec- tion with more than 200 other leaders around our nation and the world is extraordinary. For their agencies, the ongoing training of - fered in contemporary and cutting-edge issues in the national law enforcement community helps to shape programs and processes that keeps them in the forefront of 21st century policing. But, just as beneficial is the experience of spending almost three months in dorms and classes together with global law enforcement leaders, building lifelong friendships, connections, and memories. Unbelievably impactful was becoming aware that public safety is very similar worldwide, as are the struggles and emotional toll of the job. With the prevalence of social media, the ability to see what’s going on in associates’ personal and professional lives helps to keep those connections alive as fellow graduates move up through their agencies, move to other agen- cies, become chiefs and sheriffs, or retire.

It recently occurred to me how the maintenance of rela - tionships with fellow academy graduates might contribute to

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