DURANT, Okla. (KTEN) — For the first time ever, the FBI Citizens Academy is coming to Durant.

The three-day program gives an inside look at the day-to-day activities of federal law enforcement agents.

"Citizens Academy is basically a way to involve local business, community, civic, church leaders… get them all together and give them an inside look at the FBI," explained FBI Oklahoma City Field Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joe Skarda.

This October, the FBI is giving Texomans the chance to learn more about federal law enforcement.

"What we investigate; how we investigate it; and why,” Skarda said. “It also shows the assistance that we give to our state, local and tribal partners."

This will be the 24th Citizens Academy in Oklahoma, and this time, the program — most often held in Tulsa or Oklahoma City — is coming to Durant.

"With Indian Country, having a lot of activity in this part of the state especially, it's always good to come down to Durant and be here for our partners," Skarda said.

The three-day program will educate citizens through discussions, questions and answers, presentations, and even some hands-on activities.

"Including our evidence response team, and our crisis negotiation team, and it kind of puts them a little bit into the tempo of what we would be out here on after hours, or during a major investigation," Skarda said.

Requirements to participate in the academy include US citizenship and being an identified community leader. It is also necessary to pass a background check, and to attend all three sessions on October 16, 23 and 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"The more people that are out there that understand more about law enforcement — whether it's the federal, state, local, tribal levels — the better they are in trying to not buy into a lot of the rumors that are out there, know what we're here for, and that makes for a safer environment across the board," Skarda said.

The class is open to citizens on either side of the Red River.

KTEN.com