Metropolitan Police Department Community Engagement Academy:
Launched in 2015, the Community Engagement Academy allows community members to learn firsthand about police operations. Through this eight-week program, the Department provides participants with a personal view of the positive aspects and challenges that confront officers daily.
During training, participants learn about:
- The recruit training program.
- Common policing scenarios and challenges.
- Patrol Services and take station tours.
- Specialized policing units (e.g., K-9, bomb squad, harbor patrol).
- Use of Force.
- Various policing topics from command staff members.
There are three cohorts of the Community Engagement Academy held annually (Summer, Fall and Spring). Participants must undergo a basic background check prior to participation.
For more information, please complete an online interest card or contact us at:
Wanda Gattison
Special Assistant
Executive Office of the Chief of Police
Email: Wanda.gattison@dc.gov
Community members from all seven police districts have participated in training, tours, discussion and presentations regarding MPD policies, practices and procedures on various police-related issues.
Metro Transit Police Citizen’s Academy
To assist the community in better understanding police training, procedure, and philosophy, the Metro Transit Police (MTPD) offers a 8-week Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) available to applicants who are residents of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as WMATA employees, members of local civic and governmental organizations. Participants of the CPA are given the opportunity to experience firsthand many areas of police training. The program parallels the same subject areas that police officer candidates receive, functioning as “mini-capsules” of the basic training program. The CPA is for informative purposes only, and it does not train or give authority to participants to act in a law enforcement capacity. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
The 8 weekly sessions will include topics such as:
- Youth Services
- Crisis Intervention
- Hazardous Devices and K-9
- Special Response Team
- Police Communications
- Crime Analysis and Records
- Evidence and Property
- Police Training
- Criminal Investigations
- Crime Scene Investigation
| When: | September 20, 2023 |
| Where: | Metro Transit Police Department’s Police Headquarters 4100 Garden City Drive Hyattsville, Maryland |
The program is FREE of charge to all participants.
PROGRAM SPACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!
- Deadline to apply is September 10, 2023
- The CPA will accept up to 20 applicants per class
- The time commitment for participants is 8 weeks, one to two hours per session, plus a required ride-along with an officer.
For more information on the CPA, please contact Lieutenant Bret Groth at bgroth@wmata.com.
Apply Now
To apply to the Citizen’s Police Academy, please complete the following steps:
- Download and fill out the CPA Registration Form here.
- Download and fill out the CPA Waiver Form here.
- Completed forms should be emailed to mtpdtraining@wmata.com ATTN: Citizen Police Academy Registration
Rules and Requirements
To read more about the rules and requirements for the Citizen’s Police Academy, click here.
United States Park Police Explorers
The primary mission of the United States Park Police Explorer Post is to educate and empower youth by developing their interest in law enforcement; to provide positive teenage activities through community involvement and elementary law enforcement training; to teach young adults the value of responsibility and leadership skills by promoting cooperation through personal growth and group development; and to provide youth the opportunity to grow, receive recognition, and thrive within our organization.
- Members must be at least 14 years of age and have completed the 8th grade. Members cannot be older than 21 years of age
- Must be a United States citizen or lawful resident alien.
- Must have proof of active enrollment in school and maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA, no failing grades, and no more than 4 unexcused absences from school while in the program.
- Must be drug free, including tobacco and alcohol.
- Must have good moral character as determined by a background check, and must not have a criminal or gang affiliation or involvement.
- Must provide a copy of his/her birth certificate, photo ID (driver’s license if applicable).
- Must give 100% commitment to attend mandatory meetings and assigned activities (at least two meetings a month).
- Must have 100% support from parents/guardians.
- Must have an interest in law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and/or a community service related field.
First, we require that you attend two Post meetings that occur on the second and fourth Thursday of the month between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The meetings are held at the United States Park Police Anacostia Station (1901 Anacostia Drive, SE., Washington, DC). On the second meeting, you will be given a Post application to complete and bring to the next scheduled meeting. If you are under 18 years of age, it must be signed by a parent or guardian. An interview will be scheduled and conducted by a Post Advisor. It will be his/her recommendation to accept or deny your application. A background check may be conducted, which will consist of checking your school records and national, State, and local police records. Upon a favorable report, you will be considered. Once accepted into the program, you will be issued two uniforms and a rules and regulations book.
You must be able to pay an annual fee of $10.00 upon selection, and $10.00 every month for post dues. Download the Explorer application and mail to USPP Explorer Post 1791, Attn; Major L. Woods, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20020 or email at e-mail us.
Click here to download Explorer Application!
The Explorer program is designed to provide law enforcement training and experience to the Explorer through mentoring, classroom instruction, and hands-on training. Explorers will learn about law enforcement and also serve their community. Explorers are expected to participate in community related functions and special events within the National Park Service areas. The Explorer will assist law enforcement officers at the annual St. Patrick’s, Cherry Blossom, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July parades. During competitively annual events such as the Marine Corps Marathon, Army Ten Miler, National Triathlon and others, Explorers will be utilized in a vast array of law enforcement assignments.
To contact an Explorer Advisor: Major L. Woods, 202-907-1926.
Community Outreach
The FBI’s Community Outreach Program supports the Bureau’s investigative mission by working to address multiple interrelated societal problems—including crime, drugs, gangs, terrorism, and violence. Linking community service, prevention, and law enforcement is a national trend spurred by grassroots efforts around the country, and FBI employees have joined this movement, volunteering in a wide variety of community-related efforts.
Outreach Specialist
WFOCOP@fbi.gov
Social Media Outreach
Twitter: @FBIWFO (Twitter)
Facebook: FBI
Instagram: @FBI (Instagram)
Citizens Academy
The Citizens Academy is an engaging six-to-eight-week program that gives business, religious, civic, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI. Classes meet in the evening at the FBI field office. The mission of the FBI Citizens Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the role of federal law enforcement in the community through frank discussion and education.
Candidates are nominated by FBI employees, former Citizens Academy graduates, and community leaders. Participants are selected by the special agent in charge of the local FBI field office.
To Apply
We are not currently accepting Citizens Academy nominations.
Director’s Community Leadership Award
Since 1990, the Director’s Community Leadership Awards has been the principal means for the FBI to publicly recognize achievements of individuals and organizations that make extraordinary contributions to education and the prevention of crime and violence in their communities. Each field office nominates an individual or organization for the award, and, once selected, the recipients are invited to a ceremony and reception at FBI Headquarters.
Future Agents in Training—Teen Academy
Our Future Agents in Training—Teen Academy program allows high school students an opportunity to get a comprehensive look into today’s FBI. Generally, each course iteration is a minimum of eight hours but can be a week-long program with blocks of instruction and demonstrations at a local field office. Students are provided with several presentations on topics including terrorism, cyber crime, public corruption, polygraph exams, evidence response, SWAT, and the day-to-day operations of a typical FBI office. Students also learn from special agents, intelligence analysts, language specialists, and professional staff about investigative tactics that include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and assisting with cases.
To Apply
We are not currently accepting Future Agents in Training applications.
Junior Special Agents
The Junior Special Agent Program aims to provide elementary school students the information, skills, and discipline necessary to stay away from gangs, drugs, and crime. Students also take a course in civics and learn about the FBI and the ways in which law enforcement helps to serve and protect their communities.
To Apply
We are not currently accepting Junior Special Agent Program nominations.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
National Firearms Examiner Academy
ATF opened the National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA) in 1999 to provide training for entry-level firearms examiners from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. This innovate academy is a collaboration with ATF’s National Laboratory Center, the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE)(link is external), and a private consultant to ensure new toolmark examiners receive proper training to work in this field.
NFEA is co-located with the National Laboratory Center in Ammendale, Maryland. NFEA is currently the only national training program to provide a standardized training curriculum for education in firearms forensics. To date, 211 trainees have successfully completed the main NFEA program. NFEA has also held 113 classes on serial number restoration for toolmark examiners from local, state and international agencies since 2000.
Training Program
During the main NFEA program, trainees learn about the fundamentals of firearms and toolmark examinations. Students participate in instructor-led courses and mock simulations while conducting research and contributing to the field of forensics. The program also prepares trainees to deliver expert witness testimony based on scientific proof, including simulated pretrial conferences and evidence exhibits.
The program also has a research component in which students analyze leading topics in the firearms industry and present the results of their work before a panel of experts during the AFTE’s annual training seminars(link is external).
Other Courses
NFEA partners with other law enforcement agencies and members of the firearms industry to provide leading-edge training programs. Additionally, the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) introduces trainees to emerging technologies such as 3D imaging and virtual microscopy. NFEA provides two advanced courses in firearms forensics: Serial Number Restoration and Toolmark Examination/Comparison and Identification.
Contact Us
For questions about NFEA, please contact NFEA Program Manager Jodi Marsanopoli at (202) 527-5078 or email jodi.marsanopoli@atf.gov(link sends e-mail) or NFEAtraining@atf.gov(link sends e-mail).
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