Junior Special Agents Receive Credentials at FBI Los Angeles Junior Special Agent Program Graduation

LOS ANGELES, CA—The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office hosted the Junior Special Agent Mentor Program graduation ceremony on July 26, 2013, at 12:00 p.m. for children at the Salvation Army Westwood Transitional Village in Los Angeles, California, who have spent the past week learning about the FBI, announced Bill L. Lewis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Approximately 30 children, ages 7 to 13, went through the academy in two sessions, some graduating last week. Approximately 10 children from the transitional housing center in the Westwood-area of Los Angeles received their junior special agent badges and credentials on July 26. The mentor program curriculum focused 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 met SWAT team members, FBI canines and their handlers, and FBI special agents assigned to the Evidence Response Team, Bomb Technician Program, and the Hazardous Evidence Response Team, who taught the students the importance of using science and mathematics to solve crimes.

FBI volunteers helped students to understand, appreciate, and develop a positive perspective of the FBI and law enforcement in general. In addition to the guest speakers and presentations, the program consisted of a variety of field trips to foster relationships between the FBI mentors and the children.

“These junior special agents will carry what they learned with them into their future endeavors. Fostering a positive relationship with law enforcement early on will help them stay drug and gang free and understand that respect for both themselves and others is paramount,” said Bill L. Lewis, Assistant Director in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office. “We may even see some of these promising children one day join the ranks of the FBI.”

The Junior Special Agent Program has existed since the 1990s, and this marks the second year the FBI in Los Angeles has partnered with the Salvation Army. The FBI credits the success of the Junior Special Agent Program to the FBI volunteers who serve as positive role models.

FBI Los Angeles SWAT Team members explain their safety
equipment and share experiences with the kids.