FBI Citizens’ Academy
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| A recent Citizens' Academy graduation |
The Citizens’ Academy provides business, religious, civic, and community leaders with an inside look at the FBI, building mutually beneficial relationships along the way.
The goal of the Citizens’ Academy is to:
- To be a catalyst for improving the quality of life within the individual communities through law enforcement-related and awareness programs;
- To project a positive image of the FBI in the communities we serve and to build new partnerships and initiatives within these venues;
- To improve our understanding of the individual community by establishing and enhancing the flow of information between the FBI and the community; and
- To identify crime problems affecting specific communities not currently being addressed and to develop proactive initiatives that respond to those problems.
The Curriculum
Attendees typically gather one night a week over the course of six-to-eight weeks and learn about the mission, goals, history, and inner workings of the Bureau. They are provided with an overview of FBI and Department of Justice policies and procedures; background on the structure and operations of an FBI field office and resident agency; details on the legal basis for our jurisdiction and issues relating to congressional oversight; a summary of the services we provide to local and state law enforcement agencies; and firearms demonstrations. Attendees are also given practical problems involving the collection and preservation of physical evidence.
The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to those used at the FBI Academy. The classes are taught by FBI staff and/or representatives deemed appropriate by the Special Agent in Charge. The following topics are included in the Citizens’ Academy curriculum:
- Terrorism
- Cyber crime
- Counterintelligence
- Public corruption
- Major thefts/violent crimes
- Field Intelligence Group
- White-collar crime
- InfraGard
- Civil Rights
Entrance Requirements
Potential candidates include business, civic, religious, or community leaders who:
- Must be at least 18 years of age;
- Must have no prior felony convictions;
- Must live or work within the jurisdiction of the Washington Field Office; and,
- Must pass a security check assessment.
Any of the above requirements can be waived upon review and approval of the Special Agent in Charge.
Selection
Citizens’ Academy candidates are selected by the Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office, with the help of the Community Outreach
Specialist, using a nomination process. Citizens’ Academy Alumni Associations are prohibited from being part of the selection process.
After candidates are selected, a security check assessment is conducted by the Security Specialist, Community Outreach Specialist, or other assigned employee. Once approved, candidates are notified by letter and provided with an application to determine their interest. Each selectee is also asked to submit appropriate documents to the Community Outreach Specialist. Each class includes between 20 and 50 community leaders.
Resources:
Frequently Asked Questions by Participants
Attendance: We ask that you commit to attend at least six of the eight classes. If you are unable to do so, we ask that you offer your seat to a wait-listed candidate. If you are absent from more than four classes, you will be unable to attend the graduation ceremony at Quantico.
Parking: Street parking is available near the Washington Field Office; however, a parking pass is needed for display. You can receive a parking pass in the front lobby of 601 4th Street NW. Additional parking is available in the parking lot of the National Building Museum located across the street from the main entrance to the Washington Field Office on 4th Street.
Security: You will be escorted at all times by an employee volunteer. You must wear a visitors badge and return it upon leaving the building. Please note that cell phones with cameras (or any camera) are not permitted inside the building. We provide secure places to store these devices during class.
Refreshments: Dinner will be served at each Citizens’ Academy meeting and are traditionally sponsored by rotating Citizens’ Academy participants. To learn more about sponsoring a dinner contact Carolyn Brew at (202) 278-2406.
