Lieutenant Stinnett Completes Prestigious FBI National Academy Training

ALTON — Lieutenant Seth Stinnett of the Alton Police Department graduated from the FBI National Academy on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, becoming the 13th officer in department history to complete the prestigious program, Chief Jarrett Ford announced.

The graduation ceremony for the 296th session took place at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where 254 law enforcement officers from 47 states, the District of Columbia, 24 countries, four military organizations, and two federal civilian organizations completed 11 weeks of advanced training in communication, leadership, and fitness.

The FBI National Academy is internationally recognized for its academic excellence and admits fewer than one percent of law enforcement officers nationally. Participants typically have extensive professional experience, averaging 21 years in law enforcement, and often return to serve in executive-level roles.

“Lieutenant Stinnett’s graduation from the FBI National Academy is an extraordinary achievement and a proud moment for our entire department,” Ford said. “Seth has spent twenty-six years serving the Alton community with integrity, dedication, and leadership. The National Academy is one of the most respected law enforcement programs in the world, and his completion of this training will only strengthen the work he is doing here at home. We are grateful for his service and excited for the expertise he brings back to the Alton Police Department.”

Stinnett, a native of Alton, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University in 1998. He joined the Alton Police Department in December 1999 and has served in various roles, including patrol officer, narcotics investigator, sergeant, and lieutenant. Currently, he commands C Shift in the Patrol Division and serves on several departmental boards, including the Police Pension Board and the Use of Force Review Board.

Throughout his career, Stinnett has received multiple awards and letters of recognition for his service.

Stinnett described the recent law enforcement training program at the academy as the best he has ever attended, emphasizing its value for supervisors in the field. The training, which brought together law enforcement supervisors from around the world, combined fellowship, advanced instruction, and personal reflection.

Stinnett highlighted three key components of the program. "One third is the fellowship and networking with other like-minded law enforcement supervisors from around the world," he said. Another third, he noted, involved receiving "the amazing training," which included physical exercises, the latest techniques in conflict resolution, leadership psychology, public speaking, and much more.

The final portion of the training provided time for self-reflection, allowing supervisors to consider how they can improve professionally and personally. Stinnett mentioned that the experience helped him become a better father and husband, attributing his ability to manage stress to the support of coworkers, subordinates, peers, and his wife, Angela, who maintains stability at home.

The FBI National Academy, established in 1935 and held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, offers courses accredited by the University of Virginia. Since its inception, the program has graduated more than 56,000 law enforcement professionals worldwide.

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