Lewis and Clark County undersheriff is new president of FBI National Academy chapter

Lewis and Clark County Undersheriff Brent Colbert was sworn into his new position as the president of the Montana and Idaho FBI National Academy Chapter after serving as the vice president last year.

Every year the chapter swaps presidents between the states allowing for a one-year term. The selection came as no surprise to Colbert because he said people tend to work their way up the ladder into presidency.

He graduated from the national academy during session 276. The Montana and Idaho chapter was started between the 1960s and 1970s with in-class lessons from Quantico agents, the FBI's onboarding and training facility.

FBI chapters span across the country, like the Rocky Mountain Chapter consisting of Wyoming and Colorado and the Northwest Chapter with the Dakotas and Minnesota.

"It's tough work," he said. "You're always trying to recruit and get donations," to help send younger members to their own training through the FBI's Youth Leadership Program.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said Colbert was nominated for the executive position by him because he believed in his leadership skills.

"He will take this opportunity to expose himself to state, multi-state and multi-national issues that can benefit our local agency and the Montana Idaho association as well," Dutton said.

The sheriff said Colbert has a great understanding of various fields within his job and agency through support from his coworkers and the support he has shown toward Dutton.

The program and the national academy have leadership focused training to help develop professional skills for those involved.

According to the FBI's website, "The YLP is focused on issues facing today’s youth, providing tools to enhance their individual core talents and drive positive change."

As the new president Colbert will be responsible for tracking down donation opportunities and curate the training for the academy's members.

The training is also focused on current events in law enforcement, Colbert added and this allows law enforcement members to promote their skills.

"I believe it's important for the leadership aspect ... We are all trying to keep on top of our profession and this is a great way to go about that," Colbert said.

"He is a great leader and I enjoy brining up leaders and letting them demonstrate their abilities for everyone else to see," Dutton said.