Stinar named administrator of law enforcement academy

A former sergeant with the Great Falls Police Department was named administrator of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy at a ceremony Wednesday.

Glen Stinar spent 13 years with the GFPD before taking a position with the Helena-based academy in 2008, managing both the basic- and advanced- training programs.

"The Montana Law Enforcement Academy exists to serve law enforcement agencies and the communities they represent by providing relevant and realistic training tailored to effectively meet the broad range of today's public safety duties," Stinar said in a news release. "As administrator, it is an honor to work with those agencies and the academy staff in designing and delivering quality basic and continuing education programs that meet that goal."

Stinar began his law enforcement career as a detention officer in Whatcom County, Wash., the release says. He then served as deputy town marshal for Belt before joining the GFPD.

From 1982 until January, Stinar served in the U.S. Army in both active and reserve capacities until he retired as a command sergeant major. His tenure included combat service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he was awarded the bronze star for both deployments.

He holds a bachelor's degree in general studies with a criminal justice concentration from Allied American University, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Stinar succeeds Kevin Olson, who managed the academy for 10 years until he took a senior leadership position with the Montana Department of Corrections in December.