MANALAPAN – Lt. Thomas Mantle has become the sixth officer in the nearly 50-year history of the Manalapan Police Department to graduate from the FBI National Academy program in Quantico, Va.
Mantle attended the 267th session of the academy at the U.S. Marine Base from Jan. 9 through March 17.
The other members of the Manalapan police force who attended the academy were current Chief Michael Fountain, retired Chief Thomas Wallace, retired Chief John McCormack, retired Chief Stuart Brown and a retired captain, the late Michael Rumola.
Mantle was hired by the Manalapan Police Department in July 1998 and served in the Patrol Division until he became a detective in 2005. During his time in the Detective Bureau, Mantle served as president of PBA Local 229, according to a press release from the police department.
In January 2013, Mantle was promoted to sergeant and returned to the Patrol Division. In February 2015 he attained the rank of lieutenant.
A total of 227 law enforcement officers graduated from the academy on March 17. The session consisted of men and women from 48 states. Included in the class were members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 25 countries, three military organizations and eight federal civilian organizations, according to a press release.
The program offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership and fitness training.
FBI Director James Comey was the principal speaker at the graduation ceremony. A total of 49,913 graduates now represent the alumni of the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935.
