First Community Police Academy for Young Adults Graduation Ceremonies

PRESS RELEASE FIRST COMMUNITY POLICE ACADEMY FOR YOUNG ADULTS GRADUATION CEREMONY

August 26, 1998

Operations-Central Bureau 251 East Sixth Street 213- 485-2651 Los Angeles, CA 90014 FAX 213- 485-2784

Operations-Central Bureau, under the Command of Deputy Chief Art L. Lopez, will hold graduation ceremonies for its first Community Police Academy for Young Adults on Friday, August 28, 1998, at 2:00 P.M. at the Los Angeles Police Academy, 1880 Academy Drive. The 33-graduating students represent nine high schools from the Los Angeles Unified School District within the Central Bureau of the City of Los Angeles.

The Academy course is designed to develop a partnership between the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the young adults in our community and provides students with an inside look at the LAPD, the LAUSD and various facets of law enforcement. Among the topics covered are City Government, LAPD history and organization, Criminal Law, Juvenile Procedures, Detective Operations, Homicide Procedures, Gang Enforcement, Narcotics, Traffic Enforcement and LAUSD police operations. Additionally, students are introduced to community problem solving models and conflict resolution techniques.

The 45-hour curriculum includes tours of Eastlake Juvenile Courts and LAPD Communications, Jail and Scientific Investigation Divisions. Students also have the opportunity to test their understanding of our Use of Force and shooting policy, reactions and judgment using the Firearms Training Simulator (FATS). This replicates actual field conditions and put each student “in the shoes” of a field officer.

The eight-week Academy schedule includes a graduation at the Los Angeles Police Academy, during which Police Chief Bernard Parks, Congressman Xavier Becerra and Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District Dr. Ruben Zacarias will present Certificates of Completion to the students.

This Youth Academy is part of Deputy Chief Art Lopez’s many community outreach projects and ongoing mission to work in partnership with the residential and business communities of the Metropolitan area to enhance public safety and reduce the fear and incidence of crime.

It is our goal to help students become productive members of society and imbue them with a strong commitment to make a difference and gain an appreciation of the problems and challenges facing police officers.

For further information regarding the Operations-Central Bureau Community Police Academy for Young Adults, please contact Sergeant Pardo 213-485-2651.

For Release 1:20 pm PST August 26, 1998