Comments from Graduates
“ … There's no way to adequately express what an incredible gift it is to be a participant in the FBI Citizen's Academy! Every session has been fascinating, relevant and eye-opening. Your collective passion and commitment is palpable and inspiring. Not only are we all amazed by the lessons we are learning from you, but you are endearing yourselves to us to the point where we want to protect you!…”
- Deborah Shane - Los Angeles Class - Fall 2004
“ … I never realized the extent of some of the areas the FBI investigates. The amount of white-collar crimes and violent crimes cases are alarming and the capabilities of the Bureau were very impressive in regards to crime fighting technology… “
- Donna J. Kahl - Los Angeles Class - Fall 2001
“We work pretty close with them on local cases like background checks and bank robberies, but we never really get to see the ins and outs of what they do on a daily basis...it was quite an eye-opener as to all they are responsible for.”
- A local police officer
"The FBI has always been mysterious and at the same time intoxicating to my imagination since I was a kid. At one point I wanted to be Elliot Ness. The FBI has always been a symbol representing the highest level of protection, investigation, and professionalism. My experience with the Citizens’ Academy has only reinforced my beliefs in 'our' FBI."
- Gary Hickman - Los Angeles Class - Fall 2002
"What was amazing for me to see was the level of education, knowledge and poise of the agents/presenters, and even more important, the passion and the commitment they bring to their job. I feel so safe knowing that they are out there taking care of us!!!!!!! We, members of the Citizen's Academy, who had the privilege to get to know them a little, should continue to support them."
- Maria Arechaederra - Los Angeles Class - Fall 2002
"Learning about the high risk involved with the "action" vs. "reaction" experiences lived daily by all law enforcement officials was stunning. It takes a pretty selfless individual to want to take on an FBI or law enforcement position and we're damn lucky there are people out there willing to take the risk of "doing good" and be so happy about it."
- Margie Gostyla - Los Angeles Class - Spring 2002
"Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity is the motto of the Bureau, but from my perspective it should also include Commitment, Dedication, and Humility. In these troubled times I am at peace knowing that in large part the safety of our country is in the very capable hands of the professional men and women of the FBI."
- James W. Brabeck - Los Angeles Class - Fall 2001
This is precisely the kind of testimony that accounts for why so many FBI Citizens' Academies have sprung up all over the country the past few years—now in nearly ever FBI field office, including: Albany, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Memphis, Milwaukee, Newark, Omaha, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.
The academies give business, civic, religious, and community leaders an inside look at Federal law enforcement in general and the FBI in particular. Their overall goal is to foster relationships and understanding between an FBI field office and its community—and so improve the Bureau’s ability to solve/detect crimes... and help citizens' make their communities a better and safer place.