Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy (FLEYA)

 

 

Summer 2022 Program Dates: July 17-23

Follow the FBI New Haven Twitter account for FLEYA updates (@FBINewHaven)

 

 

Since its inception in 2015, the Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy (FLEYA) has aimed to give Connecticut high-school-age students an inside look at careers in law enforcement. FLEYA was conceived at FBI New Haven by Public Affairs Specialist Charles Grady. Grady, who has served in law enforcement since 1982, partnered with then-Yale Police Department Chief Ronnell Higgins to host the students at Yale University. Instructors for the program’s courses include YPD officers, FBI employees, DEA, ATF, Secret Service, local police, judges, assistant U.S. attorneys, state’s attorneys, as well as state and federal probation officers. 

 

“The whole program was designed to fill several gaps — there are many law enforcement programs for the youth, but they typically take the first 50 [or] 100 people that apply for the camp. The idea here was to create an exclusive camp for those individuals who show a true promise for being leaders in law enforcement,” Grady said. 

 

 

The program is competitive. A three-step vetting process is designed to get a well-balanced look at each candidate applying to the program. On average 200 students from across the state apply for 30 spots. When selecting students for the program the FBI aims for a diverse ethnic and racial pool. New Haven FBI says the process is designed to yield an overall reflection of our Connecticut communities. This means representation of urban, rural and suburban areas such as black and Hispanic communities that are underrepresented in law enforcement The program is equally focused on insuring each student is accepted on his or her own merits and has a fair chance despite their socioeconomic background.

 

World renowned Forensic Scientist Dr. Henry Lee, who has taught crime scene forensics each year to FLEYA students, praised the program, saying, “This program is a great program and really gives best exposure to law enforcement.” The academic collaboration between Yale University, University of New Haven, and the New Haven Field Division of the FBI is the core of what makes FLEYA unique. The emphasis of higher education is instilled on each FLEYA participant and has resulted in positive perspectives about college and which schools to attend. Alumni of FLEYA are spread throughout a variety of top national and international universities, as well as West Point and other U.S. military branch ROTC programs. 

 

Bennett Hawley, a class of 2018 FLEYA alumni is in his 3rd year in the International Honors Joint Degree Program between the University of St Andrews (Scotland, UK) and College of William & Mary (VA, USA). He studies international relations and environmental science policy with a geographical focus on Asia. Bennett has previously held internships with the Japan Society, US State Department, DH Infrastructure consulting for the World Bank, and the Federal Innovators Salon and is an incoming summer 2021 economics intern at US Embassy London. Following graduation, Bennett plans to join the US Foreign Service or Intelligence Community and pursue a career related to international relations and national security. 

 

Nickolas Tibbetts, a class of 2016 FLEYA alumni credits the program for opening his mind to attending an Ivy League school. Prior to FLEYA and living on campus at Yale for a week, he hadn’t considered Yale as a possibility to attend. As of 2022, Nickolas graduated Yale (where he studied Political Science and played on the football team) and is now pursuing his legal education in order to practice law one day.

 

Lorenza Inserra, a FLEYA Alumni class of 2018, is now a third year student at American University majoring in international studies. She explains that prior to joining the program, she was unsure of what career path she sought in law enforcement. Now, she is applying for an internship at the CIA and is eyeing a program at the FBI in the future. Inserra is also considering a possible double major in justice and law, with a concentration in intelligence analysis and national security. “Looking back now, the application was completely worth it for the experience I had acquired there and the people I got to meet,” Inserra said. “If you are serious about joining these agencies, [FLEYA] will help you in the future … it’s many years of connections and opportunities beyond that.”

 

Nate Lieske graduate of the 2017 FLEYA class is currently an Intern with the New Haven field office and has worked on C-2 white collar squad. Nate intends to apply for a full-time position with the FBI after graduating from University Maryland in May of 2022 with his master’s degree in accounting. “The most valuable part of FLEYA for me was seeing the multitude of career options and getting guidance from professionals on how to achieve my goals. I also learned how to make and maintain meaningful relationships with my fellow FLEYA students and all the staff of the program.” Said Lieske. As of 2022 Nate Lieske has been hired by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Josh Resnick, who attended the University of Connecticut majoring in political science and psychology, graduated from the program in 2017, says he always knew he was interested in going into either law or law enforcement. He was referred to the program by his high school guidance counselor. Resnick echoed Grady’s emphasis on how the program brings together students from different backgrounds. He is from the small town of Woodstock, CT and says “It brings together students from all over Connecticut. What’s unique about that is that you’re encountering people from entirely different backgrounds from yourself,” “For me — someone who’s from a small rural town in the middle of nowhere — that’s very unique and something I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.” Josh Resnick will graduate in May 2021 and received conditional offers of employment with four (4) different Field offices of the FBI.

 

 

The FLEYA program has created lifelong relationships between students and many staff that serve as mentors in some capacity for many of the students. Graduates of the FLEYA program have developed an Alumni Association. “All 116 students that previously participated in the program refer to themselves as The FLEYA Family” according to New Haven Community Outreach Specialist JoAnn Benson. FBI New Haven, Yale Police and many of the law enforcement program presenters participate in annual events with the FLEYA Alumni throughout Connecticut. There is an annual Holiday party, they assist the Outreach team with  events such as Community, Cops and Culture which is geared toward high school and college students interested in careers in law as well as law enforcement.

 

The networking opportunities with professional law enforcement agencies created for the FLEYA students has proven to be invaluable for their futures. “It is our hope to one day have FLEYA program nationwide with an annual National Alumni Conference and think tank comprised of the future law enforcement leaders. Through this program we are truly growing our own” Grady said. 

 

New Haven Field Division is optimistic about the future of the program. The FLEYA program has been replicated in Milwaukie, Wisconsin where the FBI partnered with Marquette University to run an exact model of New Haven. Grady’s work spearheading the program helped earn him the FBI Director’s Award in 2018. There are hopes of starting FLEYA in more divisions Nationwide.

 

The FLEYA program is free of charge to all enrolled students.