Crete Police Department recently acquired a new set of bragging rights, with the graduation of Deputy Chief Adam Groszek from the FBI Academy. Not many in law enforcement can say they have accomplished that.
“Big congratulations to Deputy Chief Adam Groszek, who graduated from the 12-week FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, Class No. 294,” Chief Scott Pieritz said.
“I was honored to attend the ceremony and am proud of his great achievement. Less than one percent of all police officers get the chance to attend this training.”
Groszek said later it was one of his goals for professional development, adding, “It’s a great accomplishment that very few can say they have achieved.”
It was a great challenge, he noted, but not one he would want to have to do again.
The 10-week program began on March 26 and culminated with graduation on June 5. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino was the guest speaker.
For Groszek, 43, it meant “Getting out of my comfort zone and trying a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
He said there weren’t many surprises concerning the program, because the FBI prepared the class months before with a series of three webinars containing different information each time.
But if there was anything unexpected, it was “how big and expansive the property is. You can drive for miles and still be on the base. Almost like a small city.
“It was regimented with the FBI’s Code of Conduct and uniform regulations,” he said. “It was not to the extreme of yes and no sir. All the staff at the FBI Academy were professional, and it was more casual in that fashion.”
“The hardest part of the journey was being away from home. The easiest part was following their weekly schedule. They made it easy to manage.”
True to FBI standards for keeping things confidential, Groszek wasn’t giving away any classified information about the program. He did say, however, that it included both classroom and physical components.
“It was broken into graduate level coursework through the University of Virginia.
“I had the opportunity to choose courses during an enrollment for a total of 18 credit hours. Each student then had to choose a PT course with the curriculum.
“Then, on certain Wednesdays, we would do ‘fitness challenges’ named after The Wizard of Oz, as a total group that gradually became more difficult, leading to the final challenge – the “Yellow Brick Road.”
“I can say I am glad I completed it, and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity I would not want to complete again.
“I plan on using the coursework I completed through the University of Virginia to complete my Master’s Degree.
“The FBI National Academy was a great experience, and I am appreciative of being given the opportunity by the Village of Crete, the FBI-Chicago Office and, most of all, my family for the support,” he added.
A veteran police officer with 19 years of experience – “most of my adult life” – his entire law enforcement career has been with the Crete Police Department.
He has served as deputy chief for about three years.