The Abington Township Police Department announced that Lieutenant Joe Blei graduated as a member of the 294th session of the FBI National Academy on Thursday, June 5.

The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Nationally, fewer than one percent of law enforcement officers have the opportunity to attend the National Academy program, which offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. On average, participants have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

“By graduating from the National Academy, Lieutenant Blei joins an international fraternity of law enforcement officers who have demonstrated the exceptional leadership, knowledge, and skills required to lead local law enforcement agencies into the future,” the department said in a post.

Lieutenant Blei is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in public administration from Villanova University, a graduate of Northwestern’s Command and Leadership program and is the ninth member in the department’s history to complete this prestigious program.

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Photo: ATPD