Federal Bureau of Investigation - Indianapolis Field Division - - Outreach Program

The mission of the Indianapolis Division’s Community Outreach Program (COP) is to enhance and maintain public trust and confidence in the Federal Bureau of Investigation by widely sharing information externally about the FBI’s mission, accomplishments, operations and values.

The Indianapolis COP focuses its efforts in three general areas: schools, communities and the workplace. The FBI works in cooperation with other federal, state and local agencies who are striving to provide healthier lifestyles for our community’s youth. The FBI realizes that if law enforcement is to truly contribute to our nation’s fight against crime, drugs, gangs and violence we must formulate partnerships to reach out to the youth we are sworn to serve. This is accomplished through our Adopt-a-School Junior Special Agent Program, as well as classroom visits and junior and senior high school career fairs.

Our Division also strives to manage public relations with national minority, ethnic, and community based groups and organizations, the general public, and private sector interests to promote better relations between the FBI and the public which it serves. The Indianapolis Division enhances community relations through management of the FBI Citizens’ Academy Program as well as the coordination of meetings, special events and public appearances. The Community Outreach Program also promotes esprit de corps for employees and the community through special programs.

The Indianapolis Division has adopted the Edgar H. Evans Academy, Indianapolis Public School #11. The 5^th graders are participating in the Junior Special Agent Program during the spring session (February – May 2006). The goal of this program is to help students improve academically and become better citizens. Students learn about the history of the FBI, the types of crimes the Bureau investigates, and the jurisdictional territory that the Indianapolis Division serves. Students will have an opportunity to meet the professionals who make up the Indianapolis Division, to ask questions of FBI personnel and to consider the FBI as a potential career choice in the future. Some of the lessons include:

“I accept the position of Junior Special Agent of the Indianapolis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I promise to be a good citizen. I will obey all the laws of my city and country and will do my best in school. I will make the right choice by remaining drug free, staying in school, and practicing nonviolent behavior in handling difficult situations.”

“It just dispelled all of the bad things I’d ever heard about the FBI… that the FBI was sneaky and out to get people"

- Citizens' Academy graduate

The Academy’s goal is to enable the FBI to reach out to community, business and minority leaders throughout the state. The objective is to strengthen existing relationships between the FBI and the community, as well as educate citizens at large by providing substantive presentations that review and explain our efforts to combat crime and preserve national security.

The Citizens’ Academy was implemented with great success in Indianapolis on September 12, 2001, and 171 participants have graduated from the local program. The course runs for seven consecutive weeks, one evening a week for three and a half hours. Subject matter experts cover such topics as Terrorism, Foreign Counterintelligence, Violent Crimes, Organized Crime, Drugs, Civil Rights and White Collar Crime. Additionally, members and their guests participate in “hands-on” activities including firearms and training simulators to give them an idea of the challenges law enforcement officers face on a daily basis.

Participants who successfully complete the Academy are offered the opportunity to become members of the Citizens’ Academy Foundation Alumni Association which was started by graduates of our inaugural class in October 2001. The organization, which now boasts 110 members, allows alumni to stay in touch with the FBI, meet bi-annually to network and receive updates from the Bureau, and provide funding for future Academy sessions.

By opening our doors to members of the community, we have begun to develop a better public awareness of the FBI. The Academy allows participants to meet and interact with personnel of the Indianapolis FBI in a positive and informal setting in order to share ideas and information. Not only are we able to dispel many myths and misgivings about the nature of the FBI, we are able to articulate the FBI’s commitment to the community. In turn, the Academy has been a catalyst in creating and enhancing the Bureau’s community outreach efforts.

Participants are chosen by members of the Citizens’ Academy Foundation Alumni Association and approved by the Special Agent in Charge of the Indianapolis Division. To apply, you may forward your bio or resume along with a cover letter to Community Outreach Specialist Kathryn Sipes.

Citizens' Academy graduates visited FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

The Indianapolis Division participates in community meetings and festivals throughout the state. These events allow individuals from the Division to interact with community residents, exchange ideas and inform them of the FBI’s mission. Recent events include National Night Out Against Crime, National Peace Officers’ Memorial Week, and the Mayor’s Commission on Latino Affairs Latino Forum.

Special Agents and professional support employees provide public presentations upon request. FBI personnel provide information regarding FBI matters to schools, businesses and community programs. The Indianapolis Field Office will make every effort to ensure a speaker; however, due to the volume of requests, availability of personnel, and budget matters, honoring all requests is not possible.

The FBI recognizes the achievements of individuals or organizations in the community who provide outstanding service by presenting the annual Director’s Community Leadership Award. This award is given to those who are actively involved in drug, gang, crime and violence education and prevention. The most recent recipient of the award is Lyman B. Rhodes, Director of District-Community Partnerships for Indianapolis Public Schools.

Personnel from the Indianapolis FBI participate annually in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. This event raises money and awareness for Special Olympic athletes in Indiana. Each year, law enforcement individuals from around the state carry the “Flame of Hope” to the opening ceremonies of the Indiana Summer Games. Participants donate their time and money to benefit the nearly 12,000 Indiana athletes.

The Indianapolis Division hosts more than 400 federal, state and local law enforcement officers as well as other friends of the Bureau at its annual Steak Fry. Individuals gather at the picnic in order to dine on steaks with all the fixings, network, and visit with old friends.

The Indianapolis Field Office offers a limited number of tours each year. Tour sizes cannot exceed 20 people. Written requests must be sent to Community Outreach Specialist Kathryn Sipes at least 30 days in advance. Tours will be coordinated according to Field Office personnel availability.

To learn more, please visit www.fbi.gov, or click here to read more about community outreach efforts across the nation: FBI COP.

“We try to demystify the FBI. I think putting a human face on the agency goes a long way in building trust with law enforcement.”

--AD Dave Knowlton, FBI