The Hastings Police Department would like to congratulate Captain Raelee Van Winkle on her graduation from the FBI National Academy at Quantico Virginia. The FBI National Academy is recognized around the world as the most prestigious law enforcement management course for the United States and international law enforcement managers. The application process is very competitive, they receive hundreds of thousands of applications, and one percent or less is accepted.

Captain Van Winkle applied in December of 2018 and was accepted to attend in 2020, but COVID stopped all the sessions. She attended the 281 Session which began the first week of January 2022 and graduated on March 17, 2022. This was the first full session since COVID.

Captain Van Winkle attended the NA with 269 other law enforcement managers, which represented 45 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 32 countries, five military organizations, and six federal agencies. There were 33 females in this session.

The FBI National Academy challenges all that attend with academic courses and specialized training. The academy also has physical training, testing, and challenges.

The Hastings Police Department would like to congratulate Captain Van Winkle on her dedication to their agency, community, and this great accomplishment of completing the FBI National Academy. Raelee is the Daughter of Jim and Myki VanWinkle of Wood Lake and a graduate of Valentine High School.