Community Outreach Program, FBI

Field Office Highlights - Memphis

Memphis Division supports the communities within its territory in a variety of ways through the Community Outreach Program. In the past, the division has participated in community events including Law Enforcement Advocating Peace Fest, anti-crime marches, Safety City Program, National Night Out events, Boy Scout Jamborees, the Nashville Crime and Safety Fair, and "Race Against Drugs" events. Office tours and guest speakers for community meetings and career days are arranged through the office Community Outreach Specialist. Specific programs in the division include the following:

Adopt-A-School Program -- Employees in the Memphis office adopted Frayser Elementary School in 1992. Since that time, employees have assisted the school in a variety of ways, concentrating primarily on drug prevention and awareness of law enforcement careers. Every October the office participates in "Red Ribbon Week" by visiting each classroom and passing out red ribbons to students to remind them of the importance of remaining drug free. In the spring the FBI sponsors an essay contest for older students on the topic of being a responsible citizen, tying together concepts learned throughout the year. Contest winners spend the day in the office "shadowing" an FBI employee. Other activities have included a "Race Against Drugs" poster contest and "Read Across America."

Citizens' FBI Academy -- Memphis Division held its first Citizens' FBI Academy the fall of 1998 in Memphis, Tennessee. The goal of the Citizens' FBI Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the FBI's role in the community and to open lines of communication between the FBI and those it serves. Participants learn about the laws, rules, guidelines, and procedures federal investigators must follow; FBI jurisdiction; operations and programs; firearms safety; and investigative techniques. To date, Memphis has held four Citizens' FBI Academies, three in Memphis and one in Nashville.

Junior Special Agent Program -- A Junior Special Agent Program was held at the Dixie Homes Boys & Girls Club in Memphis in 1998 and 1999 as an after-school program. Children in the program learned about the FBI, the duties of a Special Agent, fingerprinting, gun safety, drug use, and anger management. The Dixie Homes Boys & Girls Club received the Director's Community Leadership Award in 1999 for its efforts to help boys and girls become contributing citizens.

Blue line used as a divider

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