Community Outreach Program (COP)

Meryl Einbinder, (518) 431-7274

Community Outreach Specialist

OUR MISSION

The mission of the FBI's Community Outreach Program (COP) is to provide a comprehensive program which deals with multiple interrelated societal problems, including crime, drugs, gangs, terrorism and violence, while supporting the FBI's investigative mission.  Linking community service, prevention, and law enforcement is a major national trend as grass roots efforts have brought about federal government support for public safety initiatives.  FBI employees have joined in this national movement, volunteering in a wide variety of community-related efforts.

The COP Specialist's responsibility is to create and assist crime, drug, gang, terrors and violence prevention and education programs to meet the needs of the community.  The FBI Albany Division's Specialist and other FBI personnel make presentations, distribute resource materials, and participate in anti-crime projects within schools, civic, professional, and work-related organizations.

ALBANY DIVISION'S OUTREACH PROGRAMS:

• Albany FBI Citizens' Academy

• Citizens' Academy Alumni Association

• Youth Outreach Initiatives

• Community Engagement Council

• Director's Community Leadership Award

• Speakers Bureau

• Albany Division Tours

CITIZENS' ACADEMY

The FBI Citizens' Academy offers business, civic, religious, and community leaders located within the Albany Field Office's territory the opportunity to learn about the mission and resources of the FBI. Since the implementation of the Albany Field Office's Citizens' Academy in 2000, this program has met with tremendous success and continues to grow in interest and impact.

The Citizens' Academy is conducted twice yearly and on six consecutive Thursday evenings.  During the Academy, you will be introduced to the structure and operation of the Albany Division including a description and discussion of investigative techniques utilized in both criminal and foreign counterintelligence/terrorism investigations, evidence recovery, and a firearms demonstration. 

Candidates for the FBI Citizens' Academy must meet the following criteria:

Live and work within the Albany Field Office's territory;

Be at least 21 years of age;

Have no prior felony or serious misdemeanor convictions;

Consent to a background investigation sufficient to justify an interim security clearance;

Have an active interest and involvement in community affairs and issues.

CITIZENS' ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The Citizens' Academy Alumni Association is comprised of graduates from all Albany FBI Citizens' Academy classes and is a valuable asset to the Community Outreach Program. The Citizens' Academy Alumni Association acts as an ambassador for the FBI through outreach efforts as well as assists with each new Citizens’ Academy class.   Alumni members are provided updates by FBI personnel, participate in our annual Day at the Range, and are offered opportunities to tour our training facility located in Quantico, Virginia.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COUNCIL

The Albany Division’s Community Engagement Council is comprised of community leaders with a keen interest in assisting the FBI in understanding, providing dialogue, and partnership building to share each other’s cultural heritage, debunk myths, reduce fear, discuss issues of hate and bias, and share information with community leaders.. 

DIRECTOR'S COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Since 1990, the FBI has publicly recognized the achievements of individuals and organizations within the area of drug and/or violence education and prevention by presenting them with the Director's Community Leadership Award. Each year, one individual or organization in each of the FBI's 56 field offices is selected whose achievements in terrorism, crime, drug, gang, and/or violence prevention and education have had an exemplary impact on the community. The Albany Field Office annually presents this award to that deserving individual or organization in an official ceremony held at our office.  In addition to the local ceremony, recipients of this award are invited to meet with the Director of the FBI in Washington D.C. at a formal ceremony.

SPEAKERS BUREAU

The Albany FBI Division may be able to furnish a speaker to your educational, civic, or workplace-based organization.  To submit a request, please click on the link below.  You may also send a letter to FBI Community Outreach, 200 McCarty Avenue, Albany, New York  12209.  The request must be at least four weeks prior to your intended date, include location, date and time, and your contact information.  Every effort will be made to honor such requests, although there may be occasions when investigative needs may dictate otherwise.

DIVISION TOURS

Tours of the Albany Field Office are available for school or community groups.  To submit a request, please click on the link below.  You may also send a letter to FBI Community Outreach, 200 McCarty Avenue, Albany, New York  12209.  The request must be at least four weeks prior to your intended date, include location, date and time, and your contact information.  Every effort will be made to honor such requests, although there may be occasions when investigative needs may dictate otherwise.  Request for tours can be made in writing.

All requests are subject to availability.

For More Information

FBI Albany’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Meryl Einbinder, can be contacted at (518) 431-7274 or at outreach.albany@ic.fbi.gov

REQUEST A TOUR

REQUEST A SPEAKER