ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q1-2026

ASSOCIATION UPDATE

Bill Carbone

T he Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Asso ciates (FBINAA) is renowned for its commitment to advanc ing law enforcement leadership and fostering professional de velopment among police officers from across the United States and around the world. Among the many traditions that define the FBI National Academy, one stands out as both a highlight and a rite of passage for many attendees: the trip to New York City Police Department's Special Operations Division at Floyd Bennett Field in southern Brooklyn, hosted and coordinated by the New York Police Department (NYPD). Each session of the FBI National Academy features this unique and historic excursion, which not only exposes participants to the operations of one of the world's largest municipal police forces but also strengthens interagency cooperation and camaraderie. This article explores the significance, history, and impact of the NYPD trip during each FBINAA session. The FBI National Academy is a comprehensive 10-week resi dential program of accredited instruction for law enforcement leaders from all over the world. This program has long been a vital element in the continuing improvement of law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation throughout the world. The FBI National Academy was set up in 1935 with the mis sion of elevating the standards of law enforcement through ad vanced training, education, and the exchange of best practices. Each year, four sessions—each lasting about ten weeks—are held at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. Law enforcement leaders from across the United States and around the globe are invited to attend, selected for their potential to drive positive change in their respective agencies and communities. While the curriculum is rigorous, encompassing everything from behavioral science and leadership to forensics and fitness, the Academy has always placed great emphasis on building networks. As such, field trips and external agency visits have become a signature feature of the program, providing firsthand exposure to real-world policing in urban environments. The NYPD trip is a highlight for many attendees. THE GENESIS OF THE NYPD TRIP The tradition of traveling to New York City as part of the FBI National Academy experience dates back to before the 1990s. While the exact session is not known, the more formal official trip started with Session 169 in June of 1992. While the National Academy is celebrating 90 years in 2026, the NY Trip started when a group of NYPD students in the session drove up in their private vehicles and hosted their suite mates and friends at their private homes . What began as a simple field visit to observe urban policing in action has evolved into a comprehensive, multi-day weekend event , regularly hosting in excess of 150 students traveling in 2-3 buses from MCB Quantico to mid-town Manhattan on a Friday afternoon at times with a police escort arriving at about 9 p.m. The NYPD Trip: A Signature Experience of the FBI National Academy Associates

and being met by 10-20 NYPD FBI NAA alumni volunteers who welcome the visitors and get them acquainted in a local mid town pub to refresh themselves. The NYPD, as the largest police department in the United States and one of the most storied in the world, offers a unique perspective on law enforcement chal lenges, innovation, and community engagement in a metropolis of more than 8 million people. With 8 million stories in NYC, the NYPD Trip includes tales like losing a foreign student in the busy downtown crowds. Or the student who has a little too much wine at the Italian dinner and his room mates suffer the conse quences of his overindulgences. Hotel accommodation has also evolved over the trips, from the students’ homes in the suburbs to the 5-star hotel in mid-town. The NYPD Trip gets started early on Saturday morning with a visit and demonstration at the special operations Division at Floyd Bennet Field on the southern Brooklyn shore of Jamaica Bay. Specialized Units Demonstrations: Participants are intro duced to NYPD’s elite units such as the Emergency Service Unit), Harbor Unit, Mounted Police, and the aviation unit and K-9 teams. These demonstrations highlight the capabilities needed to re spond to high-risk incidents, major events, and natural disasters. This visit is held indoors sometimes during poor winter weather. Each session’s NYPD trip is carefully curated to give partici pants a comprehensive look at modern urban policing. While the precise itinerary may vary from session to session, certain experiences have become standard over the years: A visit to One Police Plaza to the Command Center, a visit to a Broadway play or up to Yankee Stadium to catch a game if the season is in swing, and then dinner at a midtown restaurant and a visit by the NYPD Emerald Society pipe and drums band. The itinerary often includes stops at cultural and historic landmarks such as the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the NYPD Police Academy in Queens, providing context on the depart ment’s evolution and its role in New York City’s history. In recent years, the trip has increasingly emphasized the importance of public trust. Workshops and discussions focus on topics such as procedural justice, de-escalation, and the use of technology to promote accountability. These forward-looking elements ensure that the NYPD trip is still relevant and impactful for new generations of law enforcement leaders.

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4 FBINAA.ORG | Q1 2026