Johnston Police Lieutenant Tackles Courses at FBI Academy

Ten weeks is a long time to be away from home.

Lt. Lynn Aswegan, 47, was apprehensive when he first heard his acceptance to the FBI Training Academy in Virginia would take him away for such a long period of time.

"You start thinking about how you have to prepare to be gone that long," he said. "What about all that I currently do? Who will take on those responsibilities? It can start to get overwhelming. And you're away from family, chores, children and the day-to-day absence of your family."

After the impact of the prestigious opportunity settled in, Aswegan, a 23-year veteran of the , knew his family and department would cope in his absence.

"I'm a routine guy, whether at home or in the office," he said. "You're thrown out into an obviously different environment."

From July 11 to Sept. 16, Aswegan called the Quantico, Virginia, FBI Academy home as he tackled the intense, college-caliber courses.

As the first Johnston Police Department officer to attend the academy, Aswegan knew he represented the entire department.

While the department provides training throughout the year in areas such as patrol, after reaching a supervisory role officers only attended a 40-hour course through the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

"One of my responsibilities was to take this department to he next level," Chief Bill Vaughn said. "We do have training annually for CPR, safety and other things, but we weren't building on a supervisory role."

Vaughn was instrumental in Aswegan attending the academy. He approached the FBI coordinator in Omaha and explained that no one from the Johnston department had attended the academy. Vaughn, who attended the academy in 2001 before he began work in Johnston, knew the opportunity would fit Aswegan.

While at the academy Aswegan spent each day from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the classroom, basing his choices on his personal and professional interests. With more than 250 students attending in one 10-week period, there is only so much room in each class. Aswegan chose classes in investigative management, leadership and stress management.

"I probably gained the most knowledge and positive information out of that class (stress management), although it wasn't one that I planned to take," he said.
"They run the gamut by bringing in professional instructors, current and former FBI agents, and other professionals to discuss topics."

The leadership course may have offered the most on-the-job instruction for Aswegan.

"It was very interactive talk and discussion on how they currently do things, not only from lab and instruction but by people in the class. I gained a lot of positive management from a day-to-day investigation management standpoint."

The end of the academy is much like the end of a college semester with finals.

"You start to get a little anxious towards the end," he said.

Since returning to his department, Aswegan has been able to share some of his newfound knowledge during staff meetings, said Vaughn.

"It's all about growing the department and people to provide the best service possible," Vaughn said.

And that growth will continue, as Sgt. Eric Spring is scheduled to attend the academy next year.

"From being somewhat apprehensive it turned out to be professionally and personally a great opportunity for me," Aswegan said.