Lewis and Clark County Undersheriff Brent Colbert was sworn into his new position as president of the Montana and Idaho FBI National Academy Chapter after serving as vice president last year.
Undersheriff Brent Colbert
Lewis and Clark Counties
Each year the chapter changes presidents between states, allowing for a one-year term. The selection came as no surprise to Colbert, who said people tend to work their way up to the presidency.
He graduated from the National Academy during Session 276. The Montana and Idaho Chapter was founded between the 1960s and 1970s with classroom instruction from Quantico agents, the FBI’s onboarding and training facility.
FBI chapters span the country, such as the Rocky Mountain Chapter consisting of Wyoming and Colorado and the Northwest Chapter covering the Dakotas and Minnesota.
“It’s hard work,” he said. “You’re always trying to solicit and get donations,” to send younger members to their own training through the FBI’s Youth Leadership Program.
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Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said Colbert was nominated by him for the leadership position because he believed in his leadership skills.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
“He will use this opportunity to expose himself to state, multi-state and multinational issues that could also benefit our local agency and the Montana Idaho association,” Dutton said.
The sheriff said Colbert has a strong understanding of several areas within his job and agency, thanks to the support of his colleagues and the support he has shown to Dutton.
The program and the national academy have leadership-oriented training to help develop the professional skills of those involved.
Lewis and Clark County Undersheriff Brent Colbert speaks at a news conference about the Horse Gulch fire on July 10.
SONNY TAPIA, independent record
According to the FBI’s website, “the YLP focuses on issues facing today’s youth, providing tools to strengthen their core individual talents and create positive change.”
As new president, Colbert will be responsible for identifying donation opportunities and curating training for the academy’s members.
The training also focuses on current law enforcement events, Colbert added, and allows law enforcement members to promote their skills.
“I believe it’s important for the leadership aspect…We’re all trying to stay on top of our craft and this is a great way to do that,” Colbert said.
“He is a great leader and I enjoy developing leaders and having them demonstrate their capabilities for all to see,” Dutton said.
Sonny Tapia is a criminal justice and education reporter for the Helena Independent Record.
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