The CJIS Division Community Outreach Program has created and continues to develop a variety of programs to meet the needs of area schools and community organizations. Through these initiatives, we are committed to being reponsible and active members of our communities in North Central West Virginia.
School-Based Initiatives
Caring Officers Promoting Safety (C.O.P.S.)
FBI police officers present safety tips to children and young adults and explain the importance of proper communication skills in the event of an emergency. The officers also provide an overview of how they use their equipment—including all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes—and discuss careers in law enforcement. The C.O.P.S. Program won the 2000 U.S. Attorney General's Community Service Award.
Cultural Awareness
FBI employees tour area schools in North Central West Virginia and give presentations on cultural diversity, helping students of all ages and races to broaden their understandings of different cultures. For example, to commemorate February as Black History Month, a choir made up of FBI employees sings various pieces with historical significance to African-Americans and the Black History movement. After each selection, a member of the group discusses the significance of the lyrics.
Fed Facts: The Real Deal
The CJIS Community Outreach Program has teamed up with U.S. District Chief Judge Irene M. Keeley and the U.S. Probation Office in Clarksburg in creating the "Fed Facts: The Real Deal Program." Most drug education programs for students focus on health concerns. This program addresses the issue from a different angle—the legal one. This 45-minute program combines classroom discussion with video and simulations of drug crimes in progress to give students in grades 8 through 12 an informative, thought-provoking interactive learning experience.
Internet Safety Program
The Internet Safety Program features a scenario-based presentation concerning appropriate online safety and etiquette. The program is presented to students, school faculties, and community organizations.
Stranger Danger
This program educates kindergarten through second grade students on protecting themselves from situations involving abduction, child abuse, and cyber stalking.
Ethics and Character Education Program
Our interactive lessons focus on the six pillars of character:
- Trustworthiness
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Fairness
- Caring
- Citizenship
This program covers the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects of living and maintaining a moral life. Variations of the program are also available for school faculties.
Students Who Achieve Today (SWAT Team)
This program allows area high school students to be actively involved in FBI outreach activities. Some of these activities include: community fingerprinting; serving as ushers and escorts at high-profile FBI ceremonies; acting and assisting in the production of public service announcements; producing drug and alcohol awareness posters; and distributing child identification kits. The SWAT Team from Valley High School in Wetzel County won the 2001 U.S. Attorney General's Community Service Award.
Drug and Alcohol Awareness Program
Through various activities, police officers educate youth on the dangers and prevention of drugs and alcohol. Hands-on apparatuses such as fatal vision goggles are used to simulate different levels of intoxication.
Guest Speaker Program
Experts from the CJIS Division and area FBI offices are available to speak to civic organizations, parent groups, and students at local schools about the missions and programs of the FBI.
Partners for Citizenship and Education (PCE)
The CJIS Division’s Partners for Citizenship and Education works with the following schools through the programs below:
- Adamston Elementary School, Harrison County, Junior Special Agent Program
- Flemington Elementary School, Taylor County, Junior Special Agent Program
- Genesis Youth Crisis Center, Inc., Harrison County
- Jane Lew Elementary School, Lewis County
- South Harrison High School, Harrison County, Students’ Academy Program
- Volga-Century Elementary School, Barbour County
Hardest-Working Student Award
Each year, we honor the hardest-working students from each of the PCE schools during a ceremony at the CJIS complex. Spotlighting the value of providing your best effort at whatever the task, this award gives our partners a chance to focus on the hardest-working students of each class without placing undue emphasis on grade-point averages.
Junior Special Agent Program
This course, designed for fourth and fifth grade students, is presented throughout the school year. The lesson plans stress the importance of being good citizens and delivering your best effort, whatever the task. FBI employees provide a bi-weekly overview of the CJIS Division and FBI operations and emphasize the importance of strong citizenship. Upon successful completion of the program, students are presented with a Junior Special Agent badge and credentials by the CJIS Division Assistant Director during a graduation ceremony held at the CJIS facility.
The Lunch Bunch
This group addresses the special needs of students in elementary and middle schools. Team leaders from the FBI serve as mentors for the students, discussing issues involving academic challenges, addictions, divorce, death, peer pressure, communication with parents, self-esteem, and student-chosen topics. The bi-weekly lunch program gives students the opportunity to talk to an individual they trust (and is not a parent or teacher) in a non-threatening environment.
Community-Based Initaitives
ID Kits and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)
The FBI has joined the AFCA in distributing National Child Identification Program (NCIDP) kits. The kits provide parents and guardians the resources to fingerprint their children, save a DNA sample, and list other identifying information to maintain as a permanent record in the event of a disaster, foul play, or a runaway situation involving their child. More than 115,000 kits have been distributed at West Virginia University football games alone.
Community Fingerprinting Program
Students from Harrison County high schools are trained as fingerprint technicians and accompany Community Outreach Program staff to schools, day care centers, shopping malls, and area fairs and festivals to provide free fingerprinting services.
FBI Citizens’ Academy
The FBI Citizens' Academy is an eight-week course of instruction that gives members of the community an inside look at the FBI. The academy fosters a greater understanding of the Bureau and its multi-faceted role in law enforcement. Throughout the course, participants have the opportunity to raise issues and discuss topics of interest concerning the FBI.
Memorial Ceremony in Honor of Fallen West Virginia Law Enforcement Officers
In May 1996, then-West Virginia Governor Cecil H. Underwood presented the CJIS Division with a proclamation declaring every second week in May as “Fallen West Virginia Law Enforcement Officers Week.” Law enforcement members and community leaders throughout the state are invited to participate in the annual ceremony honoring West Virginians who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Director’s Community Leadership Award
Since 1990, the FBI has given this annual award to publicly recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that have made a major difference in their communities.
In 2009, the CJIS Divison presented the Director’s Community Leadership Award to Michelle Riggs (see above photo with FBI Director Robert Mueller) for her work in protecting children through the West Virginia Child Abduction Prevention Program and for her tireless support for victims of crime.
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