COVID-19 Update

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 spring class was suspended and later completed in Spring of 2021. Class 6 is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2022.

What is the Citizens' Academy?

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 leaders, 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 safe guarding south east Texas, as well as to build a special bond between ATF and the communities.

We are very excited to announce the successful completion of our ATF Citizens' Academy Class 5 in July 2021! 

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/learning tactical movement formations.

Arson: Learn about our Certified Fire Investigator Program, interesting case studies and K-9 demonstration and detection.

Blast Demonstration: See first hand the destructive force of pyrotechnics.

Special Response Team: Learn about ATF's specialized team of operators, medics and negotiators.

Waco: An evening with a Special Agent who was on scene at the Branch Davidian Search Warrant. He will discuss the Search Warrants, the deaths of 4 ATF Special Agents, and the aftermath of that day in history.

Participant Eligibility

• Civic, Religious, Business and Community Leaders and Organizations
• 21 year of age and above
• No Prior Felony Convictions
• Submit to a background check
• Live and/or work in the Greater Houston area.

How to Apply

Applications are currently closed Citizens' Academy.

Applications for Class 7 in Spring 2023 will open in summer 2022.

Apply Now

More Information