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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Feb. 19, 2008
PROSECUTORS, FEDERAL AGENTS WILL TEACH U.S. ATTORNEY'S CITIZENS ACADEMY CLASSES IN WICHITA
WICHITA, KAN. – In less time than it would take super agent Jack Bauer to save the world, the 2008 United States Attorney’s Citizen Academy in Wichita will introduce participants to the real world of federal law enforcement in Kansas.
During six, three-hour sessions Academy members will cover topics that make headlines every day in Kansas and across the nation including:
– Terrorism
– Gangs and violence
– Illegal immigration
– Drug trafficking
– White collar crime, identity theft and health care fraud
– Crimes against children, child pornography and sexual predators
Classes will be taught by prosecutors, Wichita State professors and investigators from the FBI, the DEA, ATF and other federal agencies.
“Our instructors aren’t the two-fisted super heroes portrayed on TV shows like 24 Hours,” Melgren said. “They’re the real thing. They’re sensible, shrewd and tough investigators. They work hard – and they usually don’t get the credit they deserve.”
The Citizens Academy will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in six sessions on Mondays: March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28 and May 5 at Wichita State University.
The School of Community Affairs at Wichita State University is partnering with Melgren’s office to present the Citizens Academy.
“The School of Community Affairs at Wichita State University is pleased to co-sponsor the 2nd annual United State Attorney’s Citizens Academy,” said Michael Birzer, director of the school. “The Academy offers citizens an opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the federal criminal justice system, and also nurtures a basic sense of citizenship. An added benefit of attending the academy is that it affords participants an opportunity to meet practicing federal criminal justice professionals as well as professors from the School of Community Affairs who study crime and the criminal justice system for a living.”
About 20 people will be selected for the class. Applications are available by calling Jim Cross, public information officer, at 316-269-6481 or online at www.usdoj.gov/usao/ks
There is no cost for the class, but participants must certify that they will be available at the designated times and will attend all classes. All applicants must include a brief statement of why they want to join the Citizens Academy. The deadline for applying is March 10. Successful applicants will be notified the week of March 24. Applications may be mailed to the attention of Jim Cross at:
U.S. Attorney’s Citizens Academy
1200 Epic Center
301 N. Main
Wichita, KS 67202
“Last year’s class included members from Cessna Aircraft, USD 259, Newman University, the Urban League, and several financial institutions including Emprise, Fidelity and Community Bank,” Melgren said. “In every class, they were still asking questions when we ran out of time.”
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Instructors may include agents from the following agencies:
– The Federal Bureau of Investigation
– The Drug Enforcement Administration
– The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
– Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
– The U.S. Secret Service
– The U.S. Postal Inspection Service
– The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
– Health and Human Service - Office of Inspector General
– The U.S. Marshals Service
– The U.S. District Court
– The Federal Public Defender’s Office.
WHAT OUR GRADUATES SAY
“Exposed me to facets of the US Attorney's office that I was not aware of.”
Brian Black, community relations manager for Spirit AeroSystems
“I would highly recommend this series to Wichita business leaders. The time commitment was well worth it.
Art Huber, Via Christi
“The speakers were very good.”
Tim Nelson, Fidelity Bank
“Very informative.”
Paul Masterson, American Family Insurance
“It was great!”
Jeremy Couch, Emprise Bank
“A wonderful experience.”
Michelle Zahner, USD 259
“I wish we could have had more time.”
Gary Whitcraft, Cessna Aircraft
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