The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation today graduated the first class of local law enforcement officers who attended and completed the annual TBI State Academy.

The TBI State Academy was created as a professional and prestigious training ground for Tennessee law enforcement officers who long for the opportunity to expand their education and training in the criminal justice field. The TBI State Academy was developed with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s origin, tradition and mission in mind and is geared toward advancing techniques, science and strategy for the law enforcement community. Some of the coursework included about leadership, constitutional law, communications intelligence and undercover investigations.

A graduate of the TBI State Academy has the opportunity to earn nine undergraduate or six graduate semester hours toward a degree at Bethel University’s College of Criminal Justice. It was a five day a week commitment for six weeks  and was held at Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy in Bell Buckle, Tenn., at no cost to attendees.

Candidates who were nominated by their department heads and selected and had five years experience as a full-time commissioned officer of a Tennessee law enforcement agency, and are of excellent character and have a professional reputation. They exhibit an interest in public service and are committed to remain in law enforcement for a minimum of three years after the TBI State Academy graduation.

2012 TBI State Academy Graduates

 Patrol Officer Tara Beauchamp, University of Tennessee at Martin Police Department

Detective Sergeant Statler Collins, Hamblen County Sheriff’s Department

Detective Maria Cutshaw, Sevier County Sheriff’s Department 
Detective Charles Greenwood, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department

Detective Dwain Jackson, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office

Detective Curtis Rowland, McMinnville Police Department

Detective Thomas Eric Watson, Benton Police Department
Lieutenant Tommy Widener, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

Chief Deputy Billy Woodward, Johnson County Sheriff’s Department

Applications for the 2013 TBI State Academy will be accepted in the Spring of 2013.