American Legion JR Law Cadet Program
- ALLECA IS A PARTNERED YOUTH PROGRAM BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA AMERICAN LEGION AND THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (AZ DPS) THAT BEGAN BACK IN 1981 AND HAS NOW REACHED ITS 38TH YEAR. ALLECA IS ONE OF ONLY TWENTY ONE (21) SUCH PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES (ARIZONA, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, FLORIDA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN) THAT ARE GEARED TOWARD THOSE INDIVIDUAL TEENAGERS WHO HAVE SHOWN AN INTEREST IN SOME PHASE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OR MILITARY AND OURS IS UNIQUE BECAUSE MUCH OF THE PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON PHYSICAL FITNESS. THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY “AMERICANISM” PROGRAMS THAT ARE SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN LEGION AND OUR PROGRAM IS SEEN AS THE NATIONAL MODEL FOR SUCH PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF A EIGHT-DAY ENCAMPMENT AND IS HELD AT THE EMMANUEL PINES CAMP, WHICH IS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF PRESCOTT ARIZONA. THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED TO YOUTHS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11 AND 19. THE CADETS ARE FED THREE MEALS A DAY AND ARE PROVIDED QUARTERS AND UNIFORMS.
ALLECA Class Descriptions
Brief details of training classes you will be involved with
Americanism-Citizenship, a class about history evolving around military, wars and leaders discussing Citizenship, freedom, respect, and the American Flag. A class about proper flag etiquette, displaying and folding is a hands-on class allowing the student to participate in practice. This is one part of the American Legion Four Pillars. The American Legion believes that our young people have a strong sense of patriotism and a high regard for law and order. The objective of the American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy (ALLECA) is to provide a firsthand look at the role of a police officer in promoting and safeguarding America’s freedom and rights.
Career Building, a class about how to apply for, what to expect and where it can lead to, choosing how you want to live your life in today’s society. Military and Law Enforcement expectations and requirements.
Distracted Driving, a class about the hazards of distracted driving that young drivers are faced with while operating a motor vehicle, State law and recommendations to attend local driver training for teens are discussed. This is not an actual driving class, discussion only.
What Not To Do When Driving, a class about the consequences and aftermath of distracted driving, road rage, racing and other hazardous traffic violations. As new drivers, teenagers are often distracted by cellphones, social media videos, and passengers. This class provides a realistic picture of the consequences of distracted driving. Class discussion only.
DUI-Underage, a class about the hazards of drinking and driving, along with underage alcoholic beverage consumption risks, state laws and penalties, video, and photos of graphic scenes to reinforce the lecture. A hands-on impaired driver simulation with distorted vision and balance are applied for demonstration purposes.
Gangs, a class about gang criminal activity, affiliations, and investigations, with video and photos. A hands-on scenario role play with class participation.
Narcotics (UC), a class about illegal narcotics investigation and arrest techniques with video and photos, hands-on interaction of role-playing and problem solving, state and federal laws and penalties. Demonstration with a narcotic drug police dog when available.
Firearms Safety, a pre-class lecture about the safe handling of a firearm, consequences and police training involving handgun and patrol rifle. All firearms used in this class are “SAFE TRAINING” simulation weapons called Air-Soft Simulation Training Firearms, which are air powered that project a soft sponge like pellet for realistic effects of target placement. Safety eyeglasses and protective face masks are utilized for this hands-on training. This class is closely monitored by assigned staff. This class will coincide with other role play and simulation training involving the use of firearms that are frequent in Law Enforcement.
Active Shooter, a hands-on class discussion about police responses and responsibilities involving an active shooter situation, followed with role-play as violator, victim and officer are implied in this type of scenario-based training. Obligation to protect and render first aid is a priority in this training.
High Risk Stops, involving police response to potentially life threating situations involving dangerous suspects on foot or in a vehicle, hands-on role play scenario-based training exercise involving police tactics, arrest, and firearms handling.
Team Building, a huge part of our program that teaches the class to work together both physically and mentally while encouraging motivation and willingness to succeed, physical activities such as team challenges, squad and class unity while maintaining discipline amongst the class ranks, self-respect and confidence building.
Vaping, a class discussion about the hazards of both illegal Illicit drugs and legal vaping of substances that has created an epidemic in this country, especially among teens. Every day, over 3,500 youths start vaping. In 2018 alone, the number of high school students who vape nearly doubled. Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. The term is used because e-cigarettes do not produce tobacco smoke, but rather an aerosol, often mistaken for water vapor, that actually consists of fine particles. Many of these particles contain varying amounts of toxic chemicals, which have been linked to heart and respiratory diseases and cancer.
SWAT-EOD, a class discussion about the response and job of being a SWAT or Bomb officer, demonstrations, and hands on display of specialized equipment used by tactical units in Law Enforcement and Military.
Being Bullied, a class discussion about the state laws against Bulling, consequences and results, prevention and education, hands-on role-play, and interaction with students. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.
Crime Scene Management, a class discussion about police investigations involving the securing of a crime scene, practices and procedures used, collection of evidence and witnesses, crime lab procedures and types of tools and technology used to solve crimes, prosecution, and conviction.
Defensive Tactics (DT), a physical class about use of force, control and arrest tactics, self-defense and survival, teaching approach, stance, verbal and physical escalation and de-escalation techniques with basic punching, kicking, arm-locks and handcuffing.
ALLECA PHOTOS
Contact Us
Matt Griffis, Director
Reach out to Director Matt Griffis with questions about our program. Applications are due by the dead line as stated on the Applications.
ALLECA-AZ
