The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the graduation of Captain Marc Mills from the FBI National Academy 223^rd Session on December 16, 2005.

This 11 week training session held in Quantico, Virginia began in early October.  “We take the best of the best,” said Robert J. Jordan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.  “The Academy is known world-wide for providing an exceptional educational and training experience to those who are chosen to attend.”  

There is a highly competitive process that local law enforcement officers must go through before being selected for this honor.  That process includes a nomination by the candidate’s top departmental official, interviews of the candidate and co-workers to determine leadership skills and abilities, a background check, a determination of physical fitness and support of former National Academy graduates within the candidate’s organization.

Graduating with Capt. Mills were law enforcement officers from 49 of the 50 states plus officers from the countries of Jordan, Norway, Italy, Philippines, Republic of Maldives, Luxembourg, Austria, Korea, Madagascar, Spain, Australia, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, France, England, Thailand, Canada, Latvia, Hong Kong, German, Egypt, United Arab, and Brazil.

Deschutes County Sheriff Les Stiles states, “This training is unprecedented.  The knowledge that Capt. Mills has gained from the FBI National Academy will help take law enforcement to the next level in Deschutes County.  Our community is the sixth fastest growing county in the United States.  Along with rapid growth comes increased crime.  The FBI training that our Patrol Captain has received will benefit the Sheriff’s Office and the community.”

Captain Mills has spent more than 28 years with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, starting as a Patrol Deputy.  He spent a number of year working narcotics, and after being promoted to Sergeant in 1988, he started the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2002, and Captain in 2003.  He is currently responsible for the Patrol, Training, Animal Control and Civil Divisions.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is also pleased to announce that the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association along with the Oregon Sheriffs’ Civil Command College, Enforcement Command Council and Jail Command Council, held joint Annual Conferences in Lincoln City in December 2005.

New officers for the associations were introduced including Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Captain Marc Mills.  Captain Mills was elected as president of the Enforcement Command Council.

In addition, it was announced that the Supervisor of the Year, Enforcement Command Council Award went to Sgt. Mike Espinoza of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.  Sgt. Espinoza was given the award for his leadership and dedication to the recently formed Deschutes County Interagency Street Crimes Team.  In a little more than six months, the work of the team has helped to seize more than $200,000 cash and take several street level drug dealers off the streets.  Sgt. Espinoza has provided excellent guidance, vision, training and oversight to the team.

Sgt. Espinoza has been with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years starting as a Corrections Officer.  In December 2001 he was promoted to Sergeant.  He is a valued member of the Street Crimes Team unit and the Sheriff’s Office.