The FBI’s New York Office Kicks off Its Eighth Annual Citizens’ Academy

On September 22, 2010, the New York Division of the FBI kicked off its eighth annual FBI Citizens’ Academy. The 46-member class represented a wide range of leaders in business, media, legal, non-profit, academic, and other local professional communities.  

The overall purpose of the academy is to establish and foster relationships and understanding between the FBI and the greater New York community. The academy has given the public, civic, religious, and business leaders, as well as media executives, the opportunity to find out how the FBI operates and how vital their role. Nationally, the FBI has offered the Citizens’ Academy program for the past 15 years, providing a detailed inside view to 10,000 community leaders on how the Bureau operates.

FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) Janice K. Fedarcyk welcomed the class of 2010 and commended them for their initiative and their dedication to the community and public service. “As community leaders and professionals, each of you plays a fundamental role in our mission to create strong working relationships with members of our society and increase public trust. Only by moving forward together as one will we make lasting progress.”

The meeting’s agenda incorporated discussions of FBI operations recently highlighted in the media, including the Newburgh Gang Takedown in May of this year in which 78 gang members were indicted in the Southern District of New York on various federal charges. Special Agent Tim Latterner spoke with the group about his personal experience of making a split-second decision that resulted in a fatal shooting, and the ominous course that his life took as a result.

The graduates of our Citizens' Academies enable us stay better attuned to the needs and issues of our communities, are more willing to pick up the phone and call us with information that could help solve or prevent crimes, become "ambassadors" of the FBI who dispel myths and misunderstandings about the Bureau, and often go on to join alumni chapters that work directly with us on all kinds of public safety initiatives. If you’re interested in applying to attend a Citizens’ Academy, please contact your local field office.

For more information on the FBI Citizens’ Academy visit http://www.fbi.gov/hq/ood/opca/outreach/academy.htm.