VCU lieutenant first to graduate from FBI academy
Lt. Christopher Preuss (far right) was promoted with Lt. William Butters (center) last May to lieutenant. Preuss went on to complete the rigorous FBI Academy. Chief John Venuti (far left) is the only other VCU officer to complete the program. Photo courtesy of Mike Porter.
Mason Brown
Staff Writer
VCU Police had its first officer graduate from the FBI National Academy in Quantico this past week.
Lt. Christopher Preuss of VCU Police participated in the program over the summer and graduated from the 10-week program on Sept. 16. The academy is one of the most prestigious in law enforcement.
“It’s pretty intense,” Preuss said. “It helped me better learn how to communicate with people; I gained a better understanding on how to be a leader.”
In the 10 weeks, law enforcement officials from 48 states and 28 different countries undertook undergraduate and graduate level courses in law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism/terrorist mindsets, leadership development and communication.
The academy sits on 385 acres of land 34 miles from the nation’s capital and is where most of the FBI’s training takes place. In addition to traditional law enforcement training, the academy features an updated library of material ranging from the traditional journals and books to legal publications and government documents.
The workload from classes is heavy, according to Preuss.
“(There were) lots of papers … I wouldn’t have been able to do if I had to take care of my family and my work,” said Preuss.
The academy also features a heavy emphasis on physical activity.
“Law enforcement in its nature, at times, has a physical element,” Preuss said.
The officers involved were required to take fitness classes and train each day during the 10 weeks.
Lt. Preuss participated in two optional fitness challenges. The “yellow brick road,” named for its yellow bricks that mark the training course, involved a Marine training course 6.9 mile run, with obstacles like barbed wire mud crawls, cargo nets, wall climbing and more.
Pruess also completed the “blue brick” challenge by swimming a total of 34 miles, or the equivalent to the distance between the academy in Quantico and Washington, D.C.
VCU Police Chief John Venuti has also participated in the prestigious program, but as a Richmond Police Department official.
In order to participate in the academy, the FBI must first invite an agency then the agency selects an individual to go. According to Preuss, it could be six to 10 years before anyone from VCU police could go again.
Preuss said he plans to continue his studies as well as working out because of the program.
“It would seem like a waste to stop now,” Preuss said.
It’s nice to see someone like John can turn his life around, I was turmented and beat up by John weekly by John as a teenager in the neighborhood we grew up in ( crabmeadow ) in Northport Ny.