New classes are being planned for Wichita State University that will introduce students to the real world of federal law enforcement in Kansas. The School of Community Affairs at WSU is partnering with U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren's office to present the 2008 U.S. Attorney's Citizens Academy.

The Citizens Academy will meet from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in six sessions on Mondays: March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28 and May 5, at WSU.

Classes will be taught by prosecutors, Wichita State professors and investigators from the FBI, the DEA, ATF and other federal agencies.

"Our instructors (are) … the real thing," Melgren said. "They're sensible, shrewd and tough investigators."

During six, three-hour sessions, academy members will cover topics that make headlines every day in Kansas and across the nation, including:

– Terrorism

– Gangs and violence

– Illegal immigration

– Drug trafficking

– White collar crime, identity theft and health care fraud

– Crimes against children, child pornography and sexual predators

Michael Birzer

"The School of Community Affairs at Wichita State University is pleased to co-sponsor the 2nd annual United States Attorney's Citizens Academy," said Michael Birzer, director of the school. "The academy offers citizens an opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the federal criminal justice system and also nurtures a basic sense of citizenship. An added benefit of attending the academy is that it affords participants an opportunity to meet practicing federal criminal justice professionals as well as professors from the School of Community Affairs who study crime and the criminal justice system for a living."

About two dozen people will be selected for the class. Applications are available by calling Jim Cross, public information officer for the U.S. Attorney's Office, at (316) 269-6481 or online at www.usdoj.gov/usao/ks.

There is no cost for the class, but participants must certify that they will be available at the designated times and will attend all classes. All applicants must include a brief statement of why they want to join the Citizens Academy. The deadline for applying is March 10. Successful applicants will be notified the week of March 24.

Applications may be mailed to the attention of Jim Cross at U.S. Attorney's Citizens Academy, 1200 Epic Center, 301 N. Main, Wichita, KS 67202.