Latest news with #Citizen'sAcademy
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Hollywood myths and FBI realities: A reporter's inside look at El Paso's Citizen's Academy
The FBI Citizens Academy is an inside look at the FBI through frank discussion and education in a six-week course. This is one of six columns which explores Las Cruces Sun-News reporter Lauren Elizabeth Shults' experience as a student in the program to be published in the upcoming Sunday editions. Before he was named an FBI agent, El Paso's Supervisory Special Agent for the Strikeforce Squad was a college door-to-door salesman. While walking away from a home where he failed to make a sale, FBI agents swarmed him, asking, "Did you see this man?" Glancing at the photo, he said he didn't, but he took the agents up on their offer of $1,200 to knock again and see if the person in the photo was, in fact, at the residence. He was. That encounter changed the Strikeforce Squad leader's trajectory. He applied to the FBI, where he now investigates illegal racketeering by organized crime syndicates. Today, much of Strike Force's mission involves detecting and dismantling narcotics smuggling (vastly different from trafficking, an agent noted). Just as the students attending the FBI Citizens Academy have diverse backgrounds — there are psychologists, real estate and water management executives, a physical therapist, and me, a reporter — FBI agents also come from all areas of knowledge. Each special agent surprised us by sharing their occupation prior to joining the Bureau. We met a CPA, a few with military or law enforcement backgrounds (to be expected) and even a high school teacher and football coach. Each stressed the importance of having everyday people in the FBI because they have to deal with (almost) everyday people. "I love violent crime," an agent who works in the division said, and the room erupted with laughter. Dispelling the humor, he explained that he enjoys the fast pace of work and attention to detail the FBI requires. He went on to tell us of the gruesome torture and murder of a man who was trafficking drugs and how, using DNA from the victim's toothbrush and his mother, they were able to identify him. Thursday's El Paso 2025 FBI Citizen's Academy class gave attendees a glimpse into some of the criminal branch divisions — violent crimes, human trafficking, civil rights and public corruption. Those listening to daring tales of chasing criminals and fighting crimes were tempted to fill out an application. Tapping my pen on the table, I considered the logistics of getting to Quantico (the FBI's central training facility in Virginia), imagined myself running drills and eventually flashing an FBI badge like those I glanced in the room full of agents. The class explores crime and national security, starting with lessons in FBI history and culminating in hands-on simulations — nerve-wracking yet thrilling experiences. It's rare to glimpse the world of special agents, even in an abridged form. While Hollywood inspires many FBI applicants, agents note that Starling and Scully hardly reflect reality. The first session ended with a dramatic SWAT simulation in which a team member burst into the room, waving a replica gun and shouting threats. Armed with red plastic firearms, students had to decide their next steps. What if the perpetrator aimed at them? Left the room to find others? Stayed silent or announced their intent to fire? "Should I shoot his leg," one psychologist asked, as students shouted commands like "don't move," and "drop your weapon," in their most resounding, most stern voices. Throughout the course, agents stressed de-escalation and the importance of controlling active situations. One line stuck with me: "What you think doesn't matter. What you know doesn't matter. What you can prove — that's what matters." Lauren Elizabeth Shults is the public safety reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News. To reach her email lshults@ or follow her on X at @laurenshults. Editor's note: The Las Cruces Sun-News chose to withhold the names of the agents mentioned in this article, referring to them by title or role only, in order to preserve their security. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: A reporter's glimpse into El Paso's FBI Citizen's Academy
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Seminole County Fire Department to hold 2025 Citizen Academy
Seminole County Fire Department has announced plans for its annual Citizen's Academy event in 2025. The event, which is open house-style, is meant for families to come to see live demonstrations and take station tours. They also provide CPR training, and the event is free to attend with no registration required. The event is next Saturday, April 12, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Fire Station 11, 2721 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Altamonte Springs Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Savage police seeking applications for 2017 Citizen's Academy
The Savage Police Department is accepting applications for the 2017 Citizen's Academy. Each year, the police department opens its doors to citizens and business owners to gain a hands-on look at what police officers do and why they do it. The class meets from 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday evenings from Sept. 7 to Oct. 12 and is free to the first 20 applicants. Topics include: The history of the Savage Police Department A tour of the police department. Crime scene processing – with an opportunity to process simulated evidence Investigations – with stories of actual Savage crimes Use of force – learn how to hand-cuff a person, experience a shooting simulator Patrol tactics and traffic stops – use a speed radar and interact with live actors on traffic stops All topics are taught by real police officers. The deadline to submit an application is Aug. 18. Apply online at For more information contact Crime Prevention Specialist Georgeann Freeman at 952-882-2604.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Anderson Co. Sheriff's Office to host 2025 Citizen's Academy
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – If you've ever wondered what it's like to wear the badge, the Citizen's Academy may be right for you. The Anderson County Sheriff's Office is now accepting applications for their citizen's academy. The Citizen's Academy is nine weeks of gaining a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes at the sheriff's office. Eddie Kinsey was a participant in 2024, who said he gained a better understanding of how law enforcement protects the community. '911 was interesting to see. You don't get inside there much, but to get in there and see what they do and how active they are,' said Kinsey. 'Law enforcement and all of our first responders, it's a shared responsibility through the community. The Citizen's Academy, it showed us that.' The sheriff's office said this year's academy will have more of a hands-on approach. The upcoming class will go through a firearm simulator trial run, a chance to see the inner workings of what it's like to be a member of law enforcement. 'We get a lot of positive feedback about how much they've learned from being at the citizens academy,' Lieutenant Todd Caron said. 'Things they didn't know that we do, especially in the simulator; the firearms simulator that we run through, where you got to make really quick decisions. That could be life or death for some folks. Just how they didn't realize how quickly you might have to make a decision like that.' Whether you're interested in becoming an officer one day or not, participants will get a better understanding through various challenges. 'I mean, you go through every type of you'll hear from every type of division, investigations, forensics, the bomb squad, swat, K-9s,' said Caron. 'There'll be demos and things like that for folks to watch. That is really educational.' Kinsey said being part of the Citizen's Academy is an experience he'll always remember. 'I'm grateful to Sheriff McBride and all the instructors and officers who took the time to show what their expertise is,' said Kinsey. Classes begin on Tuesday February 18, but you must register by February 3. You can learn more and register on their website. Citizen's Academy will have a graduation ceremony in April and participants will receive a certificate and other memorabilia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
