The mission of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Community Outreach Program (COP) is to provide support and assistance to the communities we serve. This non-investigative priority is facilitated through established community-based partnerships, collaborative efforts, and special events. To ensure community outreach efforts are effective and beneficial, dedicated employees donate personal time, share special expertise, and provide useful resources. Through strong relationships with the community, the FBI’s COP is assisting with the reduction of crime and violence, terrorism, and civil rights violations. Moreover, the program provides new educational and networking opportunities for community leaders and students. The following community outreach initiatives are helping to link community, prevention, and law enforcement:

● Citizens’ Academy
● Adopt-A-School Program
     Established Partnerships with Minority Groups/Organizations
     Established Task Forces & Meetings with Local Law Enforcement
     Supporting National Youth Programs
● Career Day & Safety Presentations
● Guest Speakers
 

CITIZENS’ ACADEMY

To provide an inside look into how the FBI “does business,” each spring the Albuquerque Field Office hosts a Citizens’ Academy. The academy allows community leaders an opportunity to meet and interact with FBI management and senior experts in a positive setting that fosters mutual understanding and future relationships. During each nightly session, investigative program overviews are presented; presentations are followed by interactive discussions regarding the program and corresponding current events. Included in the eight-week academy is insight into the FBI’s history, jurisdiction, forensic capabilities, and extensive training programs. In addition, participants experience hands-on tactical and evidence collection demonstrations. Participants are chosen by the Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque FBI Field Office from a group of candidates nominated by FBI employees, community partners and Citizens’ Academy Alumni. After graduation, participants remain involved through special events and are informed about current law enforcement issues. In the future, alumni will be qualified to join Albuquerque’s Citizens’ Academy Foundation for additional training and networking activities. Currently, FBI Albuquerque Citizens’ Academy graduates are in the process of forming the foundation.

ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM

As part of the FBI’s Adopt-A-School Program, FBI Albuquerque has officially partnered with two area schools, Valle Vista Elementary School and Del Norte High School. At Valle Vista Elementary School, FBI employee volunteers assist with National Red Ribbon Week, the school’s Reading Rewards Program, field trips and play-day activities. In addition, each year employees of the FBI sponsor a school supply drive for needy students, and provide healthy snacks during spring testing.

The partnership with Del Norte High School was developed in order to provide additional law enforcement mentoring opportunities for students. Del Norte High School pioneered the Career Center and Pathways Program, an alternative program that promotes worked-based learning. In the program, learning centers are organized around broad career themes and graduation requirements are incorporated in the sequence of courses for each pathway. To support this exceptional program, the FBI Albuquerque provides curriculum enhancement through career/job shadow activities and hands-on classroom presentations and demonstrations. The following career pathways are supported through the partnership: Center for Human Services; Centerfor Sciences and Technology; and Center for Fine Arts.

Each school year, FBI Albuquerque participates in similar career day and safety awareness activities organized by other area schools.
 

DIRECTOR’S COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

To recognize individuals and/or organizations making a tremendous difference in New Mexico, each year the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office presents the Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). This special award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.

The recipient of New Mexico’s Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2006 is the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program.  Since 1991, it has been the area’s most effective drug and crime prevention initiative and continues with D.A.R.E. being offered to all county elementary school students.  Moreover, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department has become the lead agency in the promotion of D.A.R.E. curriculum in New Mexico.  Currently, the department is in the process of establishing the agency as a permanent training facility for New Mexico D.A.R.E. Officers.

Prior Recipients of DCLA:

2005

Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers, Inc. - the original police-sponsored crime prevention program responsible for 6,455 local arrests and the recover of $22,596,036 worth of stolen property, currency, narcotics, and weapons. 

2004

Childhaven - a non-profit placement and safety program for children located in the Four Corner Region of New Mexico.

2003

New Mexico Department of Health, Scientific Laboratory Division (SLD) - Local law enforcement agencies rely on the SLD to conduct pre-screening examinations on potentially hazardous materials samples.

2002

Helen Fox, Liaison, Title I Homeless/Migrant Project - a federally funded program designed to meet the needs of homeless students primarily in the areas of language arts, math, and thinking skills.

INFORMATION

For more information regarding Community Outreach activities, please contact FBI Albuquerque’s Community Outreach Specialist:

FBI Albuquerque
Community Outreach Program
4200 Luecking Park Avenue NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107

(505) 889-1300 Telephone
(505) 889-1771 Fax
Tammy.Peter@ic.fbi.gov

When contacting the Community Outreach Specialist, please include your name, telephone, and, if necessary, mailing address.

OTHER LINKS

http://www.childidprogram.com/

http://www.nfbicaa.org