Police Lieutenant Sagon graduates from FBI National Academy

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s Lieutenant Bobbi-Jo Sagon graduated the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on June 8.

Lt. Sagon is one of 238 law enforcement officers from 47 states, the District of Columbia, and 25 countries who graduated from this year’s program.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the FBI National Academy is a 10-week program of professional study and physical training for U.S. and international law enforcement managers. Attendees are nominated by their agency based on demonstrated leadership qualities.

In addition to the professional training, FBI National Academy attendees undergo fitness training and graduates undergo their final fitness challenge on the “Yellow Brick Road,” a grueling 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail built by US Marines. Along the way, Academy attendees must climb over walls, run through creeks, jump through simulated windows, scale rock faces with ropes, crawl under barbed wire in muddy water, maneuver across a cargo net, and more.

On average, Academy attendees have 21 years of law enforcement experience. Since 1947, the Hawai‘i Police Department has nominated several officers to attend the Academy, with nine graduates currently ranging in rank from lieutenant to police chief.

“We are all extremely proud of Lieutenant Sagon and the work she put in to accomplishing this significant milestone,” said Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz. The Chief also graduated from the FBI National Academy during his tenure with the Honolulu Police Department.

“The FBI National Academy is such an exceptional place, filled with discussions and ideas about modern policing. I’m looking forward to hearing what ideas Lt. Sagon has from her time there, and to seeing how we can implement them moving forward.”

Lt. Sagon has served with the Hawai‘i Police Department for more than 17 years, starting her career as a patrol officer in South Kohala. She was later assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Unit. In 2016, she was promoted to detective and worked in both the Area I Criminal Investigation and Juvenile Aid Sections before being promoted to Lieutenant in 2021, when she was assigned to Kona Patrol. Currently, Lt. Sagon is assisting with the upcoming transition of Animal Control services from the police department to the newly formed Animal Control and Protection Agency.

“I am honored to have been selected to attend the FBI’s National Academy,” said Lt. Sagon. “The training, experience, and knowledge I gained, particularly on the topics of leadership, are invaluable and has provided me with a better understanding and awareness of humanity as a whole.”