Ceres Police Department Lieutenant Travis Hudson recently graduated from the 10-week FBI National Academy held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Va.
The training is part of the FBI’s law enforcement leadership development program.
The FBI National Academy has changed in name and curriculum over the years, but the unique opportunity to learn from peers through dynamic discussions about the ever-changing challenges faced by law enforcement leaders remains consistent.
Academic classes for the FBI National Academy are accredited by the University of Virginia.
The academy is comprised of about a third academics, a third physical fitness, and a third liaison networking.
Topics for the academic classes in 2025 range from critical incident leadership to forensic science for police executives.
Participants endure the final test of the fitness challenge called the Yellow Brick Road, a grueling 6.1-mile run through a wooded trail. Built by the U.S. Marines, the course requires climbing over walls, running through creeks, jumping through simulated windows, and more. Graduates who complete this difficult test receive an actual yellow brick emblazoned with their session number to memorialize their achievement.
Hudson was promoted as Ceres Police lieutenant on April 2, 2023, overseeing patrol, the field training officer (FTO) program, traffic, reserve officers, community policing, fleet, and evaluation process. He is now in charge of the Code Enforcement unit.
Hudson started with CPD in March, 2005. Before going into law enforcement, he spent 10 years in the Air Force’s Airborne Surveillance.
While a patrol officer, Hudson was a range master, Street Crimes detective and federally sworn Gang Task Force investigator. He became sergeant in 2016 and worked as a patrol watch commander before moving to traffic sergeant. He also was a member of SWAT team for 18 years where he was an operator, primary “breacher” certified in explosive breaching, served as the SWAT assistant team leader and team leader.
Hudson has been a gang awareness presenter at community events and a member of the Stanislaus County Opioid Coalition. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management.
He has known his wife, Krista, since high school. They have three children, Lucas, Sawyer and Siena.
Other local law enforcement officers who attended along with Hudson were:
• Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Chief Casey Hill;
• California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief Matthew Timmons;
• Roseville Police Department Captain Jeff Beigh;
• Madera Police Lt. Felix Gonzalez.
“We are proud of our law enforcement partners who are graduating from the FBI National Academy today,” said Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office. “This experience prepares each to be a forward-leaning leader, continually improving their selves and their agencies to ensure their communities are well-served.”
Graduates typically share their experiences to improve service to their respective communities. On average, graduating officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
More than 56,000 law enforcement professionals have graduated from the National Academy since its launch 90 years ago in response to the 1930 Wickersham Commission Report. The report recommended standardization and professionalization of American law enforcement though centralized training.
To learn more about the FBI National Academy and the nomination process for students, visit https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/90-years-of-national-academy.
