Anyone who would like to nominate someone — even themselves — to be part of the FBI's Jacksonville, Fla., field office's 2023 Citizens Academy have until the end of January.
FBI-Jacksonville is accepting nominations until end of business Jan. 31, according to a Jan. 11 news release.
"The team at FBI Jacksonville works tirelessly, around-the-clock and in coordination with our partners, to protect communities across North Florida, and it's important for community members to understand how we serve," FBI-Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Sherri E. Onks said in the news release. "The FBI Citizens Academy program is a unique opportunity for us to share our work one-on-one with community leaders of all backgrounds and for them to provide us with feedback. Through frank discussion and information sharing, we can improve relationships and advance our mission to protect all Americans."
Those selected will attend seven courses this spring and get a chance to go behind the scenes on local FBI operations to experience case-studies and demonstrations led by special agents, according to the news release. Topics are expected to include FBI agents combat violent crime, human trafficking, cybercrime and terrorism, in addition to how teams train in forensics, firearms and evidence recovery.
This year's courses are scheduled Thursday evenings April 6-May 18, as well as all day May 19 at the FBI Jacksonville field office on Gate Parkway North in Jacksonville, the release reported.
Nominees must be business, religious, civic, academic/school board or other community leader who is 21 and older, according to the release. Nominees must have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions, not be under investigation as a subject in a criminal case and must live or work in North Florida, agree to and pass a limited background check and be be able to attend classes in person.
Candidates may be nominated by a Citizens Academy alumnus, former or current FBI employee or they can nominate themselves, the release reported.
The nomination form must be completed in full and returned on the field office's website, according to the release. Anyone who has questions about the Citizens Academy or the application process may email the field office at oureach.jacksonville@fbi.gov.
