(Grand Island, Neb.)- Thirty-six young women and 41 young men will experience what it takes to become law enforcement officers as they participate in the American Legion Junior Law Cadet program. The cadets will spend a week in June at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center/Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy (NLETC/NSPTA), 3600 Academy Road in Grand Island.
In its 45th year, the week-long academy follows a strict itinerary providing the cadets with firsthand knowledge of what is required to become a law enforcement officer in Nebraska. The participants begin each day at 6:15 a.m., with calisthenics, followed by a flag raising ceremony.
The young women cadets will attend the Jr. Law Academy the week of June 11-15, while the male cadets will participate the following week, June 18-22. During their stay the cadets will get hands-on experiences to include defensive tactics, vehicle operations and patrolling, firearms, and methamphetamine awareness.
American Legion Posts across the state nominated the cadets, who were then selected by district. Participants were selected based on worthy character, interest in law enforcement, evidence of self-discipline and the ability to share the knowledge gained with others. The American Legion and the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) originated the Junior Law Cadet program in Nebraska. The program has since been used as a model in many other states.
The young women participating are from communities across Nebraska to include: Bancroft, Beatrice, Bennington, Blair, Blue Hill, Campbell, Deshler, Elwood, Fremont, Grand Island, Gordon, Hayes Center, Hay Springs, Lawrence, Lexington, Lincoln, Madison, Marquette, Omaha, Palmer, Plattsmouth, Scribner, Shelby, South Sioux City, St. Paul, Sutherland, Valentine, Valparaiso, Wayne, Winside, and Wood River.
The young men participating are from communities across Nebraska to include: Allen, Aurora, Blair, Burwell, Ceresco, Gordon, Gothenburg, Hay Springs, Hebron, Hemingford, Homer, Indianola, Juniata, LaVista, Lawrence, Lindsay, Lincoln, McCook, Mitchell, North Platte, Omaha, Palisade, Palmer, Papillion, Ponca, Pawnee City, Ralston, St. Paul, Scribner, Sterling, Stuart, Superior, Valparaiso, Verdigre, Virginia, Wahoo, & York.
A graduation ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m., on the final Friday of each week at the NLETC/NSPTA. The Junior Law Program Coordinator is NSP Training Sergeant Jim Stover. Media interested in covering the Junior Law Program can reach Sgt. Stover beginning Monday, June 11, at (308) 385-6030 ext. 318.
Supervisors chairman and his wife.
