Oklahoma City, like each of the FBI’s local field offices, has a community outreach program that complements and strengthens our many efforts to protect you, your businesses, and your families in concrete ways through a range of activities and initiatives.
Our recent activities include:
On June 18-20, we participated in the 24th Annual Red Earth Festival, which brings more than 1,200 American Indian artists and dancers from throughout North America to Oklahoma City to celebrate the richness and diversity of their heritage with the world.
On May 25, we partnered with Rogers County law enforcement agencies to distribute more than 200 child identification kits during the Rogers County Take 25 event.
On April 2, we hosted the Youth Leadership Council of Oklahoma City at the field office for a presentation from our Joint Terrorism Task Force.
On February 12, we participated in the Kaleidoscope Student Investigations: Broken Arrow (KSI: BA) program and provided information on the types of crimes we investigate as well as career opportunities within the FBI.
During the holidays, we partnered with the Oklahoma City Public Schools’ homeless education coordinator and held a drive to provide toys and clothing for the less fortunate.
Our Citizens’ Academy brings together a cross section of community leaders to learn firsthand about our operations and programs. We have held nine citizens’ academies since our inaugural 2003 class. This program fosters a greater understanding of the FBI’s role in the community and creates new contacts and channels for working together and sharing information. Participants learn about the laws, rules, guidelines, and procedures federal investigators must follow; FBI jurisdiction, operations, and programs; firearms safety; and investigative techniques. The academies give business, civic, religious, and community leaders an inside look at federal law enforcement, especially the FBI.
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Top left; taking target practice during range day, top right; retired agents talking with a Citizens’ Academy class. Bottom left; in the firearms vault on tour night, bottom right; SWAT demonstration.
Among our other ongoing efforts:
Presenting the Director’s Community Leadership Award, which recognizes achievements of individuals or organizations actively involved in crime, gang, drug and violence prevention and education;
Offering division tours (The number of tours given annually is limited, and groups cannot exceed 15 people. Written requests must be sent to the Oklahoma City Division 45 days in advance);
Adopting the Jacksonville and Britton elementary schools through a partnership between the FBI’s Adopt-a-School program and the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, placing volunteer agents and other FBI personnel inside classrooms to mentor and tutor “at risk” kids;
Meeting with minority groups and civic organizations to talk about what the FBI can do with, and for, them and hosting town hall meetings as needed to dialogue on key issues;
Sending our special agents and other personnel into schools, businesses, and civic meetings to explain emerging crime and security threats and to provide specific advice on how to prevent being victimized by these threats;
Supporting our Citizens’ Academy graduates, who band together in a local alumni chapter to create crime prevention programs and other initiatives that benefit communities;
Serving on committees and boards for businesses, schools, community groups, and social and health services and launching drives to bring food, gifts, and toys to the less fortunate during the holidays and other times of the year;
Participating in “Red Ribbon Week,” which educates kids and adults on the dangers of drugs and alcohol and encourages them to wear red ribbons as a sign of their commitment to stay drug free; and
Partnering with the American Football Coaches Association and its National Child Identification Program to distribute Child ID kits at football games and other events.
For more information about the Oklahoma City community outreach program, please contact Community Outreach Specialist at (405) 290-3605.