The Citizens’ Academy is an annual event for local community, religious and civic leaders, and organizations to interact and talk directly with ATF special agents and participate in hands-on activities related to ATF’s areas of investigative responsibilities.
The goal of the ATF Houston Field Division Citizens’ Academy is to create a lasting partnership with community, religious and civic leaders and organizations through education of our regulatory and technical capabilities which play a vital role in the reduction of violent crime. The focus is to highlight the vital role ATF serves in safeguarding southeast Texas, as well as to build a special bond between ATF and the communities it serves.
Topics
- History of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): The early years of tax collecting to today's law enforcement and regulatory bureau.
- Industry Operations Investigators (IOI): Functions and responsibilities in governing federal firearms licensing and regulations.
- Federal Firearms Laws: ATF's responsibilities for regulating the firearms industry and investigating firearms related criminal activity.
- Firearms Trafficking Case Study: Learning from past ATF firearms trafficking cases and how we adapt our investigation methods to counter and stop firearms trafficking.
- International Firearms Trafficking (IFT): Cause and effect of international firearms trafficking and how it affects our local community.
- Range Day: Spend an afternoon firing different tactical weapons and learning tactical movement formations.
- Arson: Learn about our Certified Fire Investigator program, interesting case studies and K-9 demonstration and detection.
- Blast Demonstration: See firsthand the destructive force of pyrotechnics.
- Special Response Team: Learn about ATF's specialized team of operators, medics and negotiators.
Participant Eligibility
- Civic, religious, business and community leaders and organizations
- 21 years of age and above
- No prior felony convictions
- Submit to a background check
- Live and/or work in the Houston greater area.
Citizens’ Academy Application
For more information and/or an application please email HoustonDiv@atf.gov, call (281) 716-8207 or reach out to:
Public Information Officer
5825 N. Sam Houston Pkwy West
Suite 300
Houston, TX 77086
