FBI to Adopt Junior Special Agents at Richard Henry Dana Middle School in Hawthorne, California

The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office has adopted students at a middle school in Hawthorne, California, to take part in a junior special agent program for the remainder of the school year, announced Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. The 20-week program will commence with a swearing-in ceremony today, and will culminate with a graduation ceremony at the end of the school year.

Approximately 40 students from the Richard Henry Dana Middle School in Hawthorne, California, will participate in the junior special agent program. The curriculum will focus on a variety of subjects, including the history of the FBI; anti-bullying; conflict resolution; civil rights; abstinence from drugs and gangs; and Internet safety, among others. Students will meet FBI canines and their handlers and FBI special agents assigned to the Evidence Response Team, Bomb Technician Program, and the Hazardous Materials Response Team will teach students the importance of using science and mathematics to solve crimes. In addition, students will be educated in aspects of the federal legal system and will participate in a mock trial. Students will also travel to the Los Angeles Field Office during the spring for a tour to meet agents and other professionals.

Steve Martinez, the FBI’s Assistant Director in Charge of Los Angeles, credited the success of the 21-year-old junior special agent program to the FBI volunteers who serve as positive role models. “These students will be mentored and encouraged to get an education and to stay drug and gang free. An equally important objective of this program is to help the students build personal self esteem and confidence within themselves. Maybe we’ll see some of them down the road at the FBI Academy.”

At the conclusion of the program in June, junior special agents will graduate and receive junior special agent badges and credentials.

What:
Swearing-in ceremony for 2011 class of FBI’s junior special agents
Media are invited to attend.

Where:
Richard Henry Dana Middle School
5504 West 135th Street
Hawthorne, CA 90250
Multi-purpose room (near school marquis)

When:
Thursday, February 3, 2011
5:15 p.m.

Who:
Steven Martinez, FBI Assistant Director in Charge
Principal Aileen Harbeck, Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Superintendent Tom Johnstone, Wiseburn School District