A chance text message between two police chiefs helped rescue two kidnapped children in New Jersey—a case that highlights the quiet but powerful role of the FBI National Academy’s global law enforcement network.
When retired New Jersey police chief Ted Wittke received a text from Wisconsin police chief Eric Thunberg, he didn’t know him personally. But both were graduates of the FBI National Academy (NA), and that connection was enough. Within minutes, Wittke helped connect Thunberg to the right local authorities, leading to the safe recovery of the children and the arrest of the kidnapper.
The FBI shared the story as part of its 90th anniversary of the National Academy, a program designed to build leadership, strengthen law enforcement partnerships, and create a global network of officers able to lean on each other in critical moments.
Founded in 1935 as the FBI Police Training School, the National Academy has grown into a premier program for law enforcement leadership. Originally held at the Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C., the program moved in 1972 to its permanent home at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
The 10-week program blends academics, physical fitness, and—most critically—networking. Graduates form lasting connections that often become operational assets, as the New Jersey kidnapping case showed.
Over its history, the National Academy has graduated more than 56,000 U.S. law enforcement leaders and over 4,300 international officers from 176 countries. Class sizes are small—roughly 250 participants per session—making acceptance highly competitive.
Academics, accredited through the University of Virginia, have evolved over time, with current topics ranging from critical incident leadership to forensic science for police executives. The physical side is equally demanding, culminating in the “Yellow Brick Road”, a 6.1-mile Marine Corps-built obstacle course.
The personal and professional impact can be profound. Graduates point to the rare opportunity to step away from their agencies for 10 weeks, focus on leadership, and build a network that lasts throughout their careers.
The FBI emphasizes that the National Academy is more than training—it’s about fostering a community. Graduates describe it as a “hive mind” of law enforcement leaders who can tap into each other’s expertise across the country and the world.
As retired Chief Wittke reflected, the recent rescue case is just one of many examples of the NA’s reach. “It was really incredible,” he said. “This happens on a daily basis. But it just shows you how the NA network … how important it is and how it works.”
This year, the FBI National Academy celebrates 90 years of training law enforcement professionals from across the U.S. and around the world.
Read more about the National Academy’s legacy and its vital role in developing leaders who are prepared to meet tomorrow’s challenges and… pic.twitter.com/ltGIavsrkc
— FBI (@FBI) August 13, 2025
(AI was used in part to facilitate this article.)