Las Vegas, 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 activities include:
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas Windmill Campus is Nevada’s First 2013 FBI-SOS National Winner
FBI Las Vegas presents the Principal of Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas with the FBI-SOS National Award (Photo by Ronna Timpa)
FBI Las Vegas presents the Principal of Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas with the FBI-SOS National Award (Photo by Ronna Timpa)
On May 17, 2013, Special Agent Alex Bustillos and Community Outreach Specialist Holly James of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office presented Mr. Mustafa Gunozu, Principal of Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas, with the first FBI-SOS National Award of 2013 in the Starfish category for the month of March. Students in fourth grade produced an overall aggregated score of 93.03%.
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas – Windmill Campus is located at 2150 Windmill Parkway, Henderson, Nevada. It is a public charter school for third through fifth grades in the Clark County School District.
A school assembly was held in the playground to honor the students and four teachers who completed the program. SA Bustillos spoke to the student, teachers, and parents about being an FBI Special Agent, investigating cyber crimes and the importance of being safe while working and playing online.
A congratulatory letter from the Acting Special Agent in Charge William C. Woerner was read during the assembly by SA Bustillos. The trophy was then presented to the school’s Principal Mr. Mustafa Gunozu by SA Bustillos and COS James.
The FBI-SOS (Safe Online Surfing) Internet Challenge is a free, educational, fun online program designed by the FBI that promotes cyber citizenship and teaches students in 3rd through 8th grades how to recognize and respond to online dangers. It is open to all public and private schools nationwide. The program runs each month from September through May. To participate a teacher or school administrator can register his or her school at https://sos.fbi.gov.
FBI Citizen Academy
On May 1, 2012, the Las Vegas Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation graduated 17 members in the ninth annual FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy. The graduation ceremony was held at the Texas Station Resort and Casino. It was sponsored by the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association.
Graduates of the 10th annual Las Vegas Citizens Academy
On Wednesday, May 1, 2013, nineteen (19) business, religious, civic, and community leaders in the 10th annual FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy completed their eight-week course during a ceremony held at Texas Station Resort and Casino.
The 2013 FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Graduation and Awards Ceremony Dinner was sponsored by the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBI LV CAAA). After a cocktail reception, the program was opened by emcee, 2012 Miss Nevada Randi Sundquist. Palo Verdi High School AFJROTC Color Guard held a flag ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem was sung by 2012 Miss Nevada Outstanding Teen Ellie Smith. Both Miss Nevada and Miss Teen Nevada run statewide anti-bullying campaigns and have assisted in other law enforcement and FBI crime prevention and bullying awareness events.
After a buffet dinner, Nevada Supreme Court Justice Ron Paraguirre gave the keynote speech. The FBI LV CAAA recognized the FBI Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT) as “The Team of the Year” for their pursuit of criminals wanted for violent felony charges in Nevada. The CAT was also honored at the White House during Police Week on May 11th.
This year’s academy included the following members: Adam Burk, News Director with Nevada Public Radio; Amar Chadha, C.K. Financial, Inc.; Dean Collins, Senior VP, Nevada State Bank; Frank Gonzales, VP Distribution Operations, NV Energy and Commanding General Army Nevada National Guard; Fernando Guzman, Fernando Guzman Law Offices, Chtd; Charles Harvey, Administrator for Nevada Taxicab Authority; the Honorable Ronald Israel, Clark County Nevada District Court Judge; William Jacks, M.D., Premium Family Care; J. Terry Jones, VP of Development, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts; Kimberly Kindig, Development Specialist for The Mob Museum; Ellis Landau, Nevada Regional Chairman of the Anti-Defamation League; Bryan Martin, Owner/Operator Shogren Enterprises, LLC, Port of Subs; Maxie Miller-Hooks III, Principal/Assistant Director of ART Homes; Marie Mortera, KSNV Channel 3 Anchor; Dan Russell, President, Russell Financial Services, Dipti R. Shah, M.D,, Radar Medical Group; Adam T. Sperling, Tournament Director Shriners Hospitals for Children; Dr. Christine G. Springer, Director-Executive Master of Science in Crisis & Emergency Management, UNLV; and Richard Truesdell, President/Broker, Cornerstone Company.
Potential candidates for the FBI Citizens Academy must:
Nominations for the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy may be submitted prior to the close date, December 31, 2013. Dates for the 2014 academy have not been announced. Classes are held once a week for eight weeks. Nominations may be submitted by present or former FBI employees, Citizens Academy graduates, FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association members, or a self-nominated.
Candidates MUST meet the following criteria:
A recognized business, religious, or community leader from a diverse population.
Be a U.S. citizen.
Live/work within the Division’s jurisdiction.
Minimum age is 21 years.
No prior felony convictions.
No misdemeanor arrests within one year of application.
Must consent to a criminal records check and sign a Waiver Statement with regard to a criminal and driving records check.
Agree to attend all sessions with no more than two excused absences.
To nominate a candidate, please complete this candidate form. Selection of the candidates is based on factors such as their level and nature of participation in community, civic, religious groups and organizations outside of work. Explain why they would make a good candidate and their interest in learning more about the FBI. When applying, please be sure to include a detailed description of any organizations they are involved in, how long they have been a member, and any positions held. Also, be sure to include the home address and phone number, employer, position held, and contact numbers. Although a resume or bio is not required, it is helpful in giving the selection committee a closer look at the nominee. The nomination may be sent to the special agent in charge.
Twenty (20) business, religious, civic, and community leaders are chosen to attend this annual program which gives an inside look at the FBI. The goal of the FBI Citizens Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the Bureau’s role in the community and to open lines of communication between the FBI and those it serves. Participants receive presentations on procedures in federal investigations, firearms safety, terrorism, counterterrorism, cyber crimes, SWAT, undercover operations, white-collar crimes, violent crimes, public corruption, and civil rights.
After graduation the attendees are expected to help improve relationships between law enforcement agencies and the community by sharing the insights and information they gain staying involved in the FBI Community Outreach Programs by becoming a member of the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBI CAAA). Academy graduates, while not in any way an official spokesperson for the FBI, may be called upon to share their understanding of the role of federal law enforcement.
2012 Range Night
The noise in the Las Vegas desert the naight of April 17, 2012 was hostage taking, flash bangs, and gunfire, but this time it wasn’t the bad guys—it was members of the 2012 FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy being arrested as role players! The “good guys”—the FBI Las Vegas Division SWAT team—demonstrated what happens in a hostage situation. After a safety brief, the class had a chance to fire weapons used by the FBI.
Members of the Las Vegas Division SWAT team teach members of the 2012 FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy how to shoot at Range Night. Members of the Las Vegas Division SWAT team teach members of the 2012 FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy how to shoot at Range Night.
FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association
The FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association (CAAA) was established in the fall of 2009. The FBI LV CAAA is a non-profit organization made up of FBI Citizens’ Academy graduates who support the goals and mission of the FBI, A academy program, and community outreach. Each Alumni Association works to support the local FBI field office, to nominate future Citizens’ Academy members, to participate in outreach programs in the community, and to become better informed on issues of federal law enforcement.
Visit the FBI Las Vegas Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association (CAAA) website by going to http://lvfbicaa.org.
Visit to FBI Headquarters and Quantico
The FBI Las Vegas Division’s Community Outreach Program held its second FBI Citizen Academy pilgrimage to FBI Headquarters, Washington, D.C. and the FBI Training Academy at Quantico, Virginia during the week of June 11 -14, 2012.
Members of Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association visit FBI Headquarters
The Las Vegas Division’s community outreach program held its second FBI Citizen Academy pilgrimage to FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the FBI Training Academy at Quantico, Virginia June 11-14, 2012.
The group began their adventure on Tuesday, June 12, with a visit to the J. Edgar Hoover Building, FBI Headquarters. There they were greeted and escorted to the Strategic Information and Operations Center, where they received briefings from supervisory special agents and a tour of the building. After lunch in the FBI cafeteria and shopping in the FBI store, the group toured the new FBI Education Center. The day concluded with a tour of The International Spy Museum, and later that evening they enjoyed dinner at Washington D.C.’s historic Old Ebbitt Grill.
On Wednesday, everyone met at FBI Headquarters and boarded a bus for FBI Training Academy, at Quantico, Virginia. After a tour of the main campus, lunch was served at the academy cafeteria. The day concluded with a visit to the FBI Laboratory, Hogan’s Alley, and the TEVOC (Tactical and Emergency Vehicle Operations Center).
Thursday morning, June 14, the group spent the day at our nation’s Capitol, beginning with a meet-and-greet with Senator Harry Reid. Photos were taken with the senator and a tour of the Capitol was conducted by his staffers. The final morning event included a meeting with Senator Dean Heller in his office.
Adopt-A-School/Junior Special Agent Programs
The Las Vegas Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FBI Las Vegas Citizen Academy Alumni Association (FBI LV CAAA) partnered with Preparatory Institute, School for Academic Excellence at Charles I. West Hall (West Prep) for this school year’s FBI’s Adopt-A-School Program (2012-2013).
The FBI Junior Special Agents Academy was offered to all 57 fifth graders this year. For sixteen weeks they were visited by FBI Special Agents, Support Staff and FBI Citizens Academy Alumni members. They learned about the FBI, law enforcement careers, the danger of drugs and gangs, internet safety, civil rights, undercover operations, victim’s rights, and bullying. They took field trips to UNLV, Clark County General District Court.
During a graduation ceremony held February 1st, 2013. Supervisory Special Agent Christina Burt gave the students the oath and presented each with a Junior Special Agents badge and certificate. She spoke to the students, staff, and parents about her career as an FBI Agent, her love of learning and the opportunities it gave her, such as living in Russia. Special recognition was given to Ms. Jennifer Spigel and Mr. Christopher Nichols, their fifth grade teachers. The top four students each received a metal FBI badge and leather credentials carry case, and the Junior Special Agent of the Year received a Kindle. After the ceremony the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association sponsored a pizza lunch for all who attended the graduation.
FBI Las Vegas Adopt-A-School Program:
On November 14th, 2012, sixty-nine fifth graders from West Prep School, Las Vegas, Nevada, got a big surprise during their regular FBI Junior Special Agents in Training class. After being shown the YouTube music video “Don’t Let It Get to You,” the students were asked, ‘Does anyone know who wrote and sang this song about bullying?’ Students began raising their hands and said ‘That’s Ellie Smith!”
As they answered, in walked the 2012-2013 Miss Nevada’s Outstanding Teen Ellie Smith to the cheers of all the students! For the next hour Ellie talked about her experiences as a victim of bullying and got the class actively involved in some anti-bullying activities. After her presentation, Ellie sang with the students, signed autographs for everyone, and took group pictures with the classes.
Sixteen year old Ellie Smith was a victim of continuous bullying in school during grades 4 through 8. Upon entering high school she was determined to help other young students who may face bullying in school. She has visited schools throughout the state of Nevada giving presentations on her anti-bullying campaign. Ellie is a singer and actress who has performed nationally before live audiences. She sang her first National Anthem at age 9 for the Dodgers and has since sung for Major League Baseball, NFL, and NBA teams nationwide.
Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA)
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. Our 2012 recipient was Phyllis C. Friedman. Ms. Firedman joined the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in December 2007. She attended the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy, and later that year helped organize the first FBI Community Relations Executive Seminar Training (CREST) for twenty members of the Anti-Defamation Leagues’ Board of Directors.
Community Relations Executive Seminar Training (CREST)
Las Vegas CREST Held for Anti-Defamation League Executives
On Tuesday, November 15, 2011, a Community Relations Executive Seminar Training (CREST) was held for 20 members of the Anti-Defamation Leagues’ (ADL) Board of Directors.
The FBI CREST is a shorter, more focused version of the Citizen Academy conducted in partnership with an organization or group to explain the internal workings of the FBI. It is topic driven, and sessions are customized to meet the needs of each organization or group. CREST helps improve the FBI’s understanding of communities by establishing a consistent exchange of information.
This CREST was organized to give the leaders of the ADL an inside look at the FBI and a chance to meet with supervisory agents from the Civil Rights and Joint Terrorism Task Force to discuss anti-Semitic problems and solutions in the Las Vegas area.
The Las Vegas Anti-Defamation Board of Directors, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bill Woerner, Supervisory Special Agent Rod Swanson, Supervisory Special Agent Joe Dickey, and Chief Division Counsel David Staretz. Photo by Community Outreach Specialist Holly James.
The Las Vegas Anti-Defamation Board of Directors, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bill Woerner, Supervisory Special Agent Rod Swanson, Supervisory Special Agent Joe Dickey, and Chief Division Counsel David Staretz. Photo by Community Outreach Specialist Holly James.
Community Outreach
Speaker Requests: The Las Vegas Division may be able to furnish a speaker for your educational, civic, or workplace-based organization. To submit a request, send a letter to FBI Community Outreach, 1787 West Lake Mead Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89106. The request must be sent at least 45 days prior to the date of the event, and please include the location, date and time, topic of interest, and your contact information. Every effort will be made to honor such requests, although there may be occasions when workloads of staff dictate otherwise.
Elementary and Middle School Speaker Requests: FBI Las Vegas receives many school requests for speakers at Career Days, Careers on Wheels, Nevada Reading Week, and other presentations. Unfortunately, we cannot visit every school we receive a request from, so we have set up a priority list. Schools that are actively participating in the FBI-SOS (Safe Online Surfing) Internet Challenge (grades 3 through 8) will have priority. When submitting your request for a speaker, please be sure to state if and when your school has participated in the FBI-SOS program.
Partnering with USVets and Nellis Air Force Base: Our personnel volunteered to work at the USVets Stand Down, an annual two-day event that assembles homeless veterans and provides food, clothing, veterans benefits, referrals, and entertainment by Elvis…only in Las Vegas!
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For more information contact:
Community Outreach Specialist
1787 West Lake Mead Boulevard
Las Vegas , NV 89106
(702) 584-5678