Community Outreach

Portland, like each of the FBI’s local field offices, has a community outreach program that complements and strengthens our many efforts to protect you, your businesses, and your families in concrete ways through a range of activities and initiatives.

Citizens’ Academy

The Portland Division is holding one Citizens’ Academy in 2012, see schedule. The Citizens’ Academy is designed to bring together a diverse group of business and community leaders to learn about the FBI’s work in Oregon and around the world. There are six evening sessions and one weekday session. Participants are required to attend all sessions and to complete a background investigation prior to admittance. After graduation, participants have the opportunity to join the Oregon FBI Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association and to continue the partnership with our office.

Due to high demand, the selection process is competitive and acceptance is not guaranteed. Application packets (pdf) are now being accepted for the 2012 class. Please complete the application and mail the packet to FBI Citizens’ Academy, P.O. Box 709, Portland, OR 97207; fax the packet to FBI Citizens’ Academy, (503) 552-5400; or scan the packet into a .pdf file and e-mail it to the Public Affairs Office. The application is in a fillable-Word document format. Open the document, type in the required information, print it, and send it in one of the ways listed above. Applications are due no later than Friday, July 27, 2012. 

CREST Academy

The Community Relations Executive Seminar Training (CREST) is a one-day, intensive training offered to community groups. Each group determines who participates and where the training takes place. Background checks are not necessary. Working with our office, the group selects two to three topics on which its members will receive training over the eight-hour session. Topics can include terrorism, frauds/scams, identity theft, hate crimes/civil rights, cyber crimes, Internet safety, and more.

Director’s Community Leadership Award

This program was launched in 1990 to recognize individuals or organizations that have had a positive impact in our community. Over the last few years, the award has gained significant importance and prestige, with the Director of the FBI personally making this presentation to those who have made an impact in the areas of crime reduction, drug deterrence, and other public safety and security initiatives. Our most recent recipient was Musse Olol, the chairman of the Somali-American Council of Oregon. Mr. Olol has been instrumental in organizing and leading efforts within the Somali community to promote public understanding and collaboration. Specifically, he has focused on developing positive relationships between the Somali community and law enforcement.

Speakers’ Bureau

The Portland Division offers speakers for groups throughout Oregon on a variety of topics, including:

• Terrorism
• Violent Crime
• Organized Crime and Drugs
• Frauds and Scams
• Identity Theft
• Hate Crimes/Civil Rights
• Victim Assistance
• Becoming an Agent

If you wish to schedule a speaker, we ask that you submit your request in writing at least one month in advance. Please send your request to the attention of Speakers’ Bureau by e-mail, by fax to (503) 552-5400, or by mail to P.O. Box 709, Portland, OR 97207. Make sure your request includes the name of the group, the requested date and time, the location, the number of expected attendees, the topic in which you are interested, and your contact information.

Job Shadows and Internships

Due to security requirements, the Portland Division does not offer job shadow or internship opportunities at this time. FBI Headquarters does offer some opportunities in Washington, D.C. through the Honors Internship program and other programs.

Tours

The Portland Division offers tours of our downtown office for student groups, Scout troops, and other community organizations as time and resources permit. E-mail your tour request to the Community Outreach office.

Multi-Cultural Advisory Council

The Portland Division has established a Multi-Cultural Advisory Council to help us address a variety of issues in our diverse community. The group’s goals include:

• Providing a safe haven to discuss issues with other cultures and law enforcement partners;
• Helping to create solutions as we work to address hate crime and civil rights issues;
• Serving as a resource to provide support and consultation to resolve issues between various cultures and law enforcement;
• Providing input to the FBI on how to approach culturally sensitive issues; and
• Providing communities with information to better understand their rights and responsibilities.

For more information on the Multi-Cultural Advisory Council, please contact the Community Outreach office.