Community Relations

Giving Back to the Community

The Administrator recognizes the necessity of maintaining the public's trust. In keeping with this management philosophy, the Office of Training is committed to ensuring that the DEA Training Academy is accessible to civic, school, and other community organizations that are actively involved in ridding their communities of drugs. In CY 2002, the DEA Training Academy welcomed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Youth Advisory Board, school groups from the elementary to university levels, the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, as well as other civic groups, such as the Federal Drug Agents' Foundation and the Sunshine Kids Cancer Foundation.

In 2003, the DEA Office of Training will, for the second time, play host to a one-week retreat for youth taking part in the Law Enforcement Explorers Program. This program targets teens, age 15 to 20, who have expressed particular interest in pursuing careers in federal law enforcement. Through the Law Enforcement Explorer Leadership Program, the DEA Office of Training provides students with one week of intensive leadership training, both in the classroom and in the field, using practical and team-building exercises.

Law Enforcement Explorers Participate in Team-Building Exercises at the Training Academy

The curriculum for the week is based upon DEA's career spanning leadership development program that champions the theory that "every agent is a leader," and that there are inherent leadership responsibilities at all levels, including that of a Law Enforcement Explorer. Through this program, students are afforded the opportunity to receive expert instruction in leadership development, team building, confidence building, decision-making, patterns and trends in narcotics trafficking, the DEA recruitment process, and the importance of physical and mental fitness. The students also experience a "day in the life" of a DEA Special Agent, which includes instruction in firearms, physical fitness, defensive tactics, and a team-building obstacle course. At the conclusion of the program, the Special Agent in Charge presents all Explorers with a graduation certificate and a video detailing their activities during the course of the week.

Organizations such as the Law Enforcement Explorers promote leadership, moral character, civic responsibility, and values that will lead these young citizens into adulthood and provide a solid foundation for them to build upon as future leaders.

The DEA will continue to develop and maintain strong relationships with professional and educational organizations that support our goals, promote law enforcement cooperation, and seek to improve the welfare and professionalism of the citizens of the United States.

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