Want to find out first hand how the FBI works?
Hear how the Bureau tracks down spies and terrorists? Learn
how to collect and preserve evidence? See what it is like
to fire a weapon and put yourself in the shoes of a Special
Agent making a split-second, life-or-death decision?
If you are a leader in your community, you
just might be able to do that and more––through
an FBI Citizens’ Academy, open for business in all
56 of our field offices.
Who attends? Business, civic,
and religious leaders, each nominated by a Bureau employee
or a previous Academy graduate. You must be at least 21
years old (with no prior felony convictions) and must live
and work in the area covered by the field office sponsoring
the academy. Please note: Because classified techniques
used in criminal and national security cases are discussed,
nominees must undergo a background check and get an interim
security clearance.
Who teaches? Special Agents
in Charge of that field office, their senior managers and
senior agent experts.
For how long? Classes generally
meet 10 times (eight on weeknights and two on Saturday)
for three hours each session. Each session has around 20-30
students.
The curriculum? Fascinating!
- Practical problems involving evidence collection and
preservation.
- FBI jurisdiction and congressional oversight.
- Structure and operation of FBI field offices and satellite
agencies.
- Fingerprint, forensic, technology, training, and other
services
- Policies and issues: ethics, discipline, communications,
drug enforcement, civil rights, and future criminal
trends.
- Firearms training.