I'm a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy

The graduation dinner was held when I was giving a presentation out of state, so unfortunately I was unable to attend the FBI’s Phoenix Citizens Academy ceremony. But I graduated from the program so I did receive my certificate when I returned.

The program was launched in 1993 at the FBI’s Phoenix Division by then-Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Jim Ahearn. Ahearn decided on the “Citizens’ Academy” model based on his experience with a local police agency with the hope of strengthening the field office’s relationship with the community.

The FBI estimates that since inception more than 600 community, civic, business, labor, media, minority, law enforcement, government, and religious leaders in Arizona have been educated about federal law enforcement issues and challenges. (Nationally, over 10,000 citizens have participated through 57 academies offered at each of the 56 Field Offices and at the National Academy in Quantico.)

The goal of the Citizens Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the FBI’s role in the community through open discussion and to support the FBI’s efforts to deliver information about their role, tools, tactics, jurisdiction, and vision for the future in national law enforcement, homeland defense, and counter-terrorism on all levels.

Classes were taught by Douglas Price,
the Special Agent in Charge, Assistant Special Agents in Charge, and Supervisory Special Agents, over a 9-week period featuring:

• Practical problems involving the collection and preservation of physical evidence.
• Fingerprint, forensic, technology, training, and other services.
• FBI’s jurisdiction, mission, guidelines and oversight.
• Structure and operation of an FBI field office and resident agency.
• Services the FBI provides to local and state law enforcement agencies.
• Discussions on ethics, discipline policies, communications, drug enforcement, civil rights, and future trends in law enforcement.
• Firearms instruction so participants gain an understanding of the extensive training FBI Agents receive and FATS to foster an understanding of what it is like being faced with split-second, life-and-death decisions.

The coolest thing we got to do was fire FBI weapons -- handgun, sub-machine gun, carbine and shotgun -- at their range at the Phoenix Federal Correctional Institution. We also saw FBU SWAT, rappelling and sniper demos.

To be allowed in the academy, you have to be at least 21 years old with no prior felony convictions. Also had to undergo a background check and get an interim security clearance because confidential techniques used in criminal and national security cases were discussed.