BUFFALO, N.Y. — The U.S. Border Patrol will be conducting Citizens Academies beginning the first week of May at the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Border Patrol Stations. Border Patrol Citizens Academies provide residents the opportunity to learn about U.S. Border Patrol, its role in the community, and provide an open dialogue with participants.
group photo, 2016
The Citizens Academy is a free outreach program to share our Border Patrol mission, why we perform it, and how we perform it. Participants will learn about Border Patrol’s history, legal authority, mission, operations, and partnerships. Attendees receive approximately 15 hours of instruction, including tours and hands-on training from Border Patrol agents.
Each Citizens Academy will commence on Friday evening or Saturday morning, and run for six consecutive weeks, three-hours per session. The final session concludes with graduation for participants.
“Our Citizens Academies offer a great way for the public to learn how and why we do the job that we do,” said Border Patrol Agent Jon Marotta. “We are proud to be part of the Western New York community and look forward to hosting as many people as possible.”
Both stations are scheduled to conduct three academies throughout the summer. Participants must be 18-years of age and older, and submit an application. Applicants should call Border Patrol Agent Dean Mandel at the Buffalo Border Patrol Station at 716-862-7000, or Border Patrol Agent Kevin Radke at the Niagara Falls Station at 716-285-6444.