ATF Los Angeles Hosts Citizens’ Academy
LOS ANGELES — John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the commencement of the latest class of the ATF Citizens’ Academy
presented by the Los Angeles Field Division. The academy, which began March 30 and runs through May 18, was designed to create a greater understanding of ATF’s role in the community through education and open discussion.
This Citizens’ Academy will be the eighth class we have presented to local business, civic, religious and community leaders that offers an inside look at the world of federal law enforcement, specifically ATF’s unique expertise in combating violent crime,
Torres said. The overall response to the Academy has been very favorable. ATF continues to build strong relationships and foster a sense of trust between ATF and the community; which helps the citizens make their community a safer place.
The Citizens’ Academy is hosted two times each year and is open to approximately 36 students per class. Students should be civic, religious or community leaders, be at least 21 years old, and have no felony convictions. The class, which lasts seven weeks, meets one day a week for approximately three hours and covers various law enforcement related topics, to include:
- ATF history, mission and jurisdiction
- Firearms/Explosives regulations
- Federal Firearms/Explosives Licensee Inspections
- Violent Crime Impact Teams
- Firearms safety and firearms familiarization/range day
- ATF Laboratories
- Certified Explosive Specialist program
- Explosives detection canine program
- Special Response Team (SWAT) and tactical simulation exercise
- Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) program
- National Response Team (Arson)
The next Citizens’ Academy is scheduled for fall of 2011. For additional information, please contact the Los Angeles Field Division at (818) 265–2500. For more information about ATF and its programs visit http://www.atf.gov/.
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