Halton cop graduates from FBI academy By Julie Slack METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP One of Halton police's top brass is a bit shinier thanks to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy. Halton Regional Police Supt. Chris Perkins attended a 10-week course at Quantico, Virginia late last year, and quickly implemented some of the things he learned there with the help of staff at 1 District (Milton/ Halton Hills). "What I found is policing is more the same than different," said the Oakville resident, noting most attendees were police chiefs or deputy chiefs. "We're all dealing with the same issues and similar challenges." The premiere law enforcement training academy in the world, the FBI National Academy holds four, 10-week training sessions throughout the year for U.S. law enforcement agencies and those in countries around the world. One of two Canadians amongst 250 graduates, Perkins chose six areas of study he believes helped to enhance his own development and will be beneficial moving forward: officer-involved shootings and how to manage the incident, psychology of communication and leadership, stress management, physical education and public speaking. He had to apply to be accepted into the academy and he said potential candidates often have to wait years before they get the opportunity. The other Canadian there was an RCMP officer from British Columbia. Perkins said he also made many valuable contacts and forged friendships with many fellow trainees. He met police from Bermuda, Spain, Chile, Argentina and Germany, to name but a few. In addition to the courses being taught by FBI special agents and others who are experts in their fields like behavioural science, law, and terrorism, there were enrichment speakers every Wednesday night. 7 · Wednesday, February 13, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com 2013 National Tour GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER OUT OF THE FBI: Halton Regional Police Supt. Chris Perkins in his 12 Division office. He recently graduated from an FBI Academy training course, he was one of only two Canadians to attend this 10-week course. Perkins came to Canada and joined the Halton police after years with London's Metropolitan Police Service in the U.K. It was there that Perkins, 51, met Kevin Gilmartin, author of a book well-known amongst law enforcers in the U.S. -- Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement. It provides advice about how to deal with stress, said Perkins, who followed in his father's footsteps and served as a police officer in London, England for many years before joining Halton 24 years ago. Here, he worked in fraud investigation before becoming a staff sergeant in Oakville. See Officer page 11 · · · · · Meet a professor and receive academic advice. Learn about Acadia's $3 million scholarship program. Talk to recent alumni. Explore student life. Win prizes and qualify for a free trip to campus. Let's Play Bingo! DELTA BINGO OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 483 Speers Rd. Oakville,(905) Monday, February 18 · 7 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn, Oakville Bring your transcript for on-the-spot admission. www.deltabingo.com 842-0876 studentevents.acadiau.ca Register online today.