May 15, 2026
FBI Las Vegas News
Las Vegas, May 14, 2026 – The FBI Las Vegas recognized its latest class of Citizens Academy graduates with an official ceremony at FBI Headquarters recently. Among the outstanding students to have been selected for the Program this year was local entrepreneur Antonio Accornero, who is also a graduate of the LVMPD Citizens’ Police Academy. “I have the utmost respect for law enforcement,” said Accornero, “so it’s really an honor to have been chosen to complete the Citizens Academies for both the Police and the FBI.”
At Headquarters and field offices around the country, the FBI hosts a range of programs that serve to build and strengthen relationships in our communities. The FBI Citizens Academy is an engaging eight-week program that gives business, religious, civic, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI. The mission of the FBI Citizens Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the role of federal law enforcement in the community through frank discussion and education.
Candidates are nominated by FBI employees, former Citizens Academy graduates, and community leaders. Participants are selected by the Special Agent in Charge of the Las Vegas Field Office. The Citizens Academy provides participants with unprecedented access to FBI operations and expertise. Through classroom sessions, demonstrations, and interactive exercises, participants gain firsthand knowledge of how the FBI investigates crimes, gathers intelligence, and protects communities.
The program builds lasting partnerships between the FBI and community leaders. Graduates become ambassadors who can educate others about the FBI's role, dispel myths, and strengthen the vital connection between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
The FBI Citizens Academy offers a unique opportunity for community leaders to gain an in-depth understanding of FBI operations through presentations, discussions, and hands-on activities. Participants learn about the Bureau's investigative priorities, intelligence capabilities, tactical operations, and community engagement initiatives.
Topics covered typically include terrorism, counterintelligence, cybercrime, public corruption, civil rights violations, and organized crime. The program also includes demonstrations of specialized FBI equipment, firearms training simulations, and discussions with special agents and professional staff about their work.
Upon graduation, participants are invited to join the FBI Las Vegas Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBILVCAAA), where they can continue to support the FBI's mission through community outreach and education initiatives.