QUANTICO, Va. -- The Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board announced April 27, 2017, it granted reaccreditation status to the U.S. Air Force Special Investigations Academy and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Basic Special Investigators Course at its meeting in Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
"This specific accreditation solidifies the reputation of the Special Investigations Academy, as well as our Basic Special Investigations Course," said Col. (Special Agent) Garry M. Little, AFSIA Commander. "It validates the training we provide to the Office of Special Investigations, the Air Force and our partner law enforcement organizations is world class and on the same level as our counterpart investigative agencies."
USAFSIA provides in-residence and mobile training, blended and distance learning capabilities and professional development to produce and enhance specialized investigative and counter-threat capabilities for the United States Air Force. The Academy provides basic and advanced instructions in criminal and fraud investigations, counterintelligence, protective services, polygraph, technical investigative services, operations development and counter-threat operations in support of the AFOSI in-garrison and war fighting mission.
The AFOSI BSIC is an entry level course designed to provide training in basic investigative skills and techniques. Students receive classroom instructions in the AFOSI mission, jurisdiction, policy, civil and military law, theory and application of investigative techniques, report writing, interview techniques, evidence collection and preservation, technical equipment and scientific aids used in investigations, counterintelligence and use of firearms.
This program spans 39 training days, and is delivered using classroom, firearms, lab, raid houses, interview suites and a driving range. Students are evaluated through practical exercises and written examination.
"The Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation organization, or FLETA, is the permanent body accrediting federal law enforcement academies and programs," Colonel Little said. "When FLETA accredits a training program or academy it means the agency met the high standards set forth and deserves the accreditation approval."
To achieve accreditation, agencies submit to an independent review of their academy and/or program to ensure compliance with the FLETA standards and procedures in Program Administration, Training Staff, Training Development, Training Delivery and Distance Learning.
Accreditation is a cyclical process occurring every five years. Each year, agencies must submit annual reports in preparation for reaccreditation, which is a new and independent review of the academy/program.
(Editor’s Note: This is the third re-accreditation for AFSIA and the second re-accreditation for BSIC.)