Neumayer one of 225 to graduate

Published in the Oct. 14-27, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Staff Report

Photo courtesy Jerry Neumayer  Morgan Hill Police Captain Jerry Neumayer completes the “Yellow Brick Road” obstacle course during the FBI National Academy training program. He was one of 225 law enforcement officers who graduated in September.

Photo courtesy Jerry Neumayer
Morgan Hill Police Captain Jerry Neumayer completes the “Yellow Brick Road” obstacle course during the FBI National Academy training program. He was one of 225 law enforcement officers who graduated in September.

Morgan Hill Police Department’s Capt. Jerry Neumayer was one of 225 law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Va., in September. He is the first person from the department to complete the National Academy in more than 20 years.

The MHPD’s Special Operations Division is under the leadership of Neumayer. He has served the Morgan Hill community for 17 years through various roles in the police department and also through his work with youth as a coach and board member for various sports organizations. As part of the 10-week-long 261st Session of the National Academy, he met men and women from 48 states as well as members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 23 international countries, five military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations.

Morgan Hill Life asked Neumayer about his experience and what it means for the community.

How did the FBI select you to join its academy and what kind of time commitment did it involve?

There is an application process. Once I applied I was contacted by an FBI liaison out of the FBI regional office in San Francisco where I had to complete background information and, in addition, complete a medical exam by my personal doctor. Lastly, I had to meet with the FBI in San Francisco for a short interview and to go over my background. Once that was completed, they made their selections and scheduled me for the next available class. I applied around fall of last year and was finally selected around April of this year. The major commitment for myself was to be away from my family and work for 10 weeks. I am thankful for having a wonderful wife that has supported me for nearly 24 years. I am also appreciative to my boss, Chief David Swing, for supporting me and allowing me to be away from my daily tasks for over 10 weeks. The FBI not only pays for the training but also pays for travel, room and board and all meals while at the training.

Neumayer in front of the Sept. 11 memorial wreath which his class, FBINA 261, presented at a ceremony.

Neumayer in front of the Sept. 11 memorial wreath which his class, FBINA 261, presented at a ceremony.

What types of law enforcement training did you receive at the academy?

I chose five courses: Forensics for Law Enforcement Managers, Drugs, Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement, Emotional Intelligence and Stress Management. We also had a physical training course where we had training three to four times a week. The courses they offered were either under-graduate or graduate courses through the University of Virginia. Each week we had a physical challenge, which consisted of long runs or circuit training, which were in preparation for the last challenge, The Yellow Brick Road. The Yellow Brick Road challenge is about 6.2 miles total with an obstacle course of about 2.5 miles.

Was there any specific training units that you particularly excelled at and enjoyed?

I enjoyed every class. However, I thought Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement was probably the most interesting. For nearly 10 weeks we discussed relevant and recent issues in law enforcement throughout the nation and how each of us would/or are handling them.

Photo courtesy Jerry Neumayer  Above left: MHPD Capt. Jerry Neumayer completes the bag challenge.

Photo courtesy Jerry Neumayer
Above left: MHPD Capt. Jerry Neumayer completes the bag challenge.

How might your going through the Academy benefit the citizens of Morgan Hill?

My experience has broadened my knowledge in law enforcement in that there are many different ways to handle certain issues/concerns in our communities and the day-to-day police operations at the administrative level. The fact that I now have more than 200 fellow brothers and sisters in my profession that I can contact for advice or to obtain additional resources not only improves my capabilities as a captain, but it will also benefit our department. One of the major necessities to be a successful police administrator is establishing relationships with not only our community but also others within our profession.