Press release from the Fortuna Police Department:

Chief Day!

On Friday, March 15, 2024, Fortuna Police Chief Casey J. Day graduated as a member of the 289th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on March 15, 2024. Chief Day is the first executive from the Fortuna Police Department to ever complete this prestigious program. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions. Chief Day has been the Chief of Police in Fortuna since July of 2020.

The 289th session consisted of one-hundred and ninety-seven law enforcement officers who graduated on Friday from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 289th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 23 countries, four military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations. Quote from Chief Day: “It was an honor to be selected and to attend the 289th session of the National Academy”. “I want to thank my wife Amber and my family for the overwhelming support while I was away”.

“I also want to thank the members of the Fortuna Police Employees Association, my command staff, City Manager Merritt Perry and the Fortuna City Council for their unwavering support while I attended the National Academy”. The National Academy is one of the finest leadership institutions in the world and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to attend”.

Bio Chief Day:

Casey is the 18th Chief of Police for the Fortuna Police Department. Casey has a Masters Degree from Arizona State University in Criminal Justice and a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Leadership from Simpson University. Casey is a graduate of the POST Management Course and POST Executive Development Course and is also a graduate of the prestigious POST Command College. Casey is the Region 1 Representative for the California Police Chief’s Association Board of Directors and served as the immediate past President for the Law Enforcement Chief’s Association of Humboldt. Casey is a United States Marine Corps veteran and served domestically and abroad.

About Fortuna Police:

The Fortuna Police Department is a full service municipal police department serving the City of Fortuna, which is located in the Eel River Valley region of Humboldt County California.

About the FBI National Academy:

FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits many of the courses offered. A total of 54,985 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.