Undersheriff Olin accepted into FBI Academy

Earlier this year, Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne announced that Undersheriff Jennifer Olin has been selected to attend the highly selective and prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. She is scheduled to attend the academy next month, and once completed, Olin will be the second member of the Sheriff’s Department to have been selected for the program, the first being Osborne himself in 2007.

The FBI National Academy is a professional study course for law enforcement personnel who have been nominated by their agency heads for demonstrating leadership qualities, according to a recent press release. Olin said she’s grateful for Osborne’s nomination.

“I have always been a strong believer in continual education/learning,” she said in an email. “When I was pursuing my graduate degree, I began researching law enforcement administration training/education opportunities, and it was clear to me that the highly selective FBI National Academy was the leading school. I am very honored and excited for this opportunity. Less than 1% of United States law enforcement officers have the opportunity to attend the training offered by the FBI.”

Osborne commended Olin and said it wasn’t even a question whether he’d nominate her for the academy.

“I knew when Jenn was appointed undersheriff that her attendance at the FBI Academy was inevitable,” he said in an email. “I received so much from it when I attended in 2007 that I knew Jenn would need to attend as well. Graduation from the program is such a great resume builder for our profession that there was no way someone as capable as Jenn would go without having it. I am so proud of her and her career and the recognition that her acceptance has brought her. She greatly deserves it.”

The program lasts 10 weeks and provides coursework in “intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication and forensic science,” the release said.

The academy aims “to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge and cooperation worldwide,” according to the release. Olin said that she sees this as an opportunity to further improve the Sheriff’s Department.

“In attendance, there will be law enforcement representatives from all 50 states, numerous countries and several military and federal civilian organizations,” she said. “The FBINA offers a unique environment for sharing ideas and peer learning. I hope to learn from my peers and to build a network that helps the Sheriff’s Office continue to improve the level of public safety that we provide to our community.”

Since the FBI Academy is so exclusive, it’s no surprise that Olin will enter the academy with plenty of experience under her belt. Olin has an extensive educational background, with an associate degree in criminal justice from Tompkins Cortland Community College — where she graduated summa cum laude — a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Wells College and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Keuka College — where she graduated magna cum laude.

Prior to joining the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department, Olin worked as a police officer with the New York State University Police at Cortland, where she earned accreditations as an accreditations manager, domestic violence instructor, drug recognition expert, field training officer and rape aggression defense instructor, among others.

Olin has lived in Tompkins County most of her life and is glad she made the move to the Sheriff’s Department.

“My family lives in this county, my kids go to school here, and I got married here,” she said. “I feel a sense of duty to provide the best public safety to this community by fostering relationships and creating an inclusive agency, internally and externally. Unlike most undersheriffs, I do not have the necessary years in yet to retire. When I decided to take the appointment to undersheriff, it came with a lot of personal risk, but I felt a strong desire and obligation to serve the Tompkins County community.”

Osborne said that working with her throughout his tenure at the Sheriff’s Department has been wonderful and he’s enjoyed seeing her succeed.

“Jenn has surpassed all my expectations,” he said. “Not only does she bring the utmost professionalism to our agency; she is also my strongest confidant and a good friend. This relationship I have with Jenn makes going to work every day easy and enjoyable. With her by my side, I know we can overcome any challenge that may come our way. … I trust Jenn completely and know that she will always make the right decision and do so in keeping with our shared vision for the Sheriff’s Office.”

Olin added that every step of the way, she’s had the support of her loving family, especially leading up to her attendance at the FBI Academy.

“I would not be able to participate in this opportunity without the support of my family,” she said. “It is a lot for me to ask of my wife to take care of the kids, house and animals for the two months that I will be gone. I couldn’t do this without her.”

The path ahead for Olin is certainly not an easy one. The capstone of the academy’s fitness program is the infamous “Yellow Brick Road” — a 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the Marines — and the coursework is intense. But Olin said she’s up to the task.

“In the opening scenes of the film, ‘Silence of the Lambs,’ FBI agent Clarice Starling, played by actress Jodie Foster, is depicted running this course, which I find neat to have the opportunity to tackle the same course,” she said. “As far as the course work, I feel prepared because I have taken undergraduate and graduate courses before.”

Olin will continue to serve as the county undersheriff both leading up to and after completion of her 10-week course. During her time in Virginia, others at the Sheriff’s Department will take over her duties until she returns.

One upcoming program that Olin will unfortunately miss but nonetheless wanted to highlight is the department’s Easter basket program. The program began in 2020, when officers created Easter baskets and delivered them to families with small children at local shelters.

“In 2021, the participation in this program more than tripled as we opened it up to other community members that needed assistance providing Easter baskets to their children,” Olin said. “I anticipate this year it is significantly going to grow as I have had several community members reach out to express interest. We actually had a community member donate several Easter baskets to us last year, which really helped us.”

If any community member or business would like to donate items to this program, Olin encourages them to reach out to the Sheriff’s Department at (607) 272-2444 or drop them off at the Sheriff’s Office, 779 Warren Rd. in Ithaca, anytime Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Jessica Wickham is the managing editor of Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to them at editorial@vizellamedia.com.