COMMUNITY OUTREACH

YOUTH PROGRAMS

The Los Angeles Field Office of the FBI is involved in several community outreach programs, including the Junior Special Agent Program, Adopt-A-School, and mentoring programs. These programs provide positive law enforcement role models who encourage students to excel in school performance and attendance, build their self-esteem, and teach them the importance of crime prevention.

FBI volunteer mentors make weekly visits to schools throughout the year to assist at-risk youth in elementary and junior high schools to achieve academic and personal goals. FBI mentors provide presentations on the FBI's role in society, the avoidance of drug use, Internet safety, physical fitness, and more. The Los Angeles Field Office is currently sponsoring five Adopt-A-Schools.

If you would like more information about the community outreach programs in Los Angeles, please contact the Community Outreach Coordinator at (310) 477-6565.

FBI CITIZENS' ACADEMY

The FBI Citizens' Academy offers business, civic, religious, and community leaders an inside look at federal law enforcement. This program provides the public with a better understanding of the FBI's mission and fosters relationships and understanding between the FBI and the community.

After a presentation to the Citizens' Academy graduates, Nena Smith is introduced to Disco, the FBI's explosives detection canine. His handler Special Agent Kathleen Carson oversees the introduction.	Demonstration to the Citizens' Academy by Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.)
Special Agent Mark Voges instructs Citizens' Academy graduate Ms. Jacqueline Bacharach on firearms familiarization.

The Citizens' Academy program was implemented at the Los Angeles Field Office in March 2000. Each session is open to approximately 30 participants and is offered once a year. Class participants meet once a week over a seven-week period.

Requirements

· Must be a business, civic, religious, or community leader.
· Must be at least 21 years old (with no prior felony convictions).
· Must live or work within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Field Office.
· Must pass a background investigation.

Class Curriculum

· FBI's mission, jurisdiction and congressional oversight.
· Structure and operation of the FBI.
· Services the FBI provides to local and state law enforcement agencies.
· Discussion on ethics, discipline policies, communications, drug enforcement, civil rights, and future trends in law enforcement.
· Firearms familiarization to foster an understanding of the extensive and responsible weapons training FBI agents receive.

Graduates of the FBI Citizens' Academy are eligible to join the Los Angeles Citizens' Academy Alumni Association, which is a non-profit organization formed in 2002. The Alumni Association's mission is to support the FBI in its investigative and community outreach programs. If you would like more information about the Alumni Association, please visit their website at www.fbicaa.org.