United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PHOENIX - On October 2,  2021, thirteen Yavapai County community members proudly graduated from the Phoenix Field Division's (PFD) first ever DEA Citizen's Academy. The community-based training program provided civilians from the local community with a first-hand understanding of the critical mission and work conducted every day by the men and women of DEA. The program was brought to Yavapai County through DEA's Operation Engage, a community outreach initiative. Operation Engage is a comprehensive approach that targets the top local drug threat, bridging public safety and public health, in each of the participating DEA Field Divisions.

The multi-week academy was held at the Prescott Valley Police Department, covering a wide variety of topics, giving attendees an in-depth look at DEA operations. Attendees were welcomed by Phoenix Field Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Cheri Oz, who conducted a brief introduction of the history and mission of the DEA. The academy curriculum included 15 hours of classroom training with DEA Special Agents on topics such as current drug trends, drug identification, undercover operations, firearms safety and emergency first aid. One of the group's favorite training days was at a local gun range, where they learned firearms safety and familiarized themselves with shooting firearms. Each presenter shared real-world stories that provided an inside perspective of the dangers that DEA Special Agents and Task Force Officers face in the field.

On Saturday, October 2, 2021, SAC Oz spoke to attendees about their experience and asked them to share their new perspective of the work done by the men and women of DEA with their family, friends and neighbors. The graduation ceremony was held at Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona, where SAC Oz presented the 13 participants with their graduation certificates. Congratulations!

The DEA Phoenix Field Division would like to thank the following partners for their outstanding contributions and assistance: The Prescott Valley Police Department, Prescott Valley Detective Luke Reynolds, Yavapai College Campus Safety Department, Yavapai College Chief Tyran Payne, Yavapai College Sgt. James Tobin, Yavapai Deputy County Attorney Dana Owens, Gunsight Firearms Instructor Dave Hartman and Ivan Anderson, Paramedic with the Verde Valley Fire District.

The DEA Phoenix Field Division will be hosting another DEA Citizen’s Academy in the summer of 2022. Information will be posted under events at yavapai.dea.gov.