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FBI Citizens' Academy Background:
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.
To find out more about Citizens' Academies, contact your local field office.
For more information: