The Department of Massachusetts connected high school students and state police trainees during the Youth Cadet Law Enforcement program.
The American Legion Department of Massachusetts held its Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Student Trooper Program at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in New Braintree from July 14-19. And for the first time in the program’s 35-year history, together the cadets and state police trainees presented colors, did physical training and attended classes. This opportunity gave the cadets a chance to ask the trainees questions about why they wanted to be state troopers and see the intense training they go through.
“It really worked out,” said Lou Brault, the program’s chairman. “There was a lot of interest in becoming a police officer or state trooper. And it made your heart swell to see the cadets’ present colors with the troopers.”
That interest was part of the reason for integrating the cadets and trainees; an idea that was suggested in a meeting leading up to the 2025 program. “We wanted them to have an idea of what it takes to be a police officer,” Brault said.
The cadets learned about the history of the Massachusetts state police, conducted driver training with troopers, learned evasive actions and safety, watched videos of accidents resulting from drivers on their cell phone, conducted drills, learned how a taser is used and how DWI roadblocks are set up, met bomb squad dogs, and more. A class that the cadets took with the trainees was on mental health, which Brault said as someone who worked in a prison for 22 years, he stayed for the whole class.
“It was really interesting. They recognize mental health a lot more than they used to, and what to look for – how a person reacts, their body language and their eyes,” he said. “Even if these kids never go into law enforcement, they have an idea of what's happening, what's going on. And just because somebody looks normal on the outside doesn't mean they're not having something on the inside. You can’t always see a mental illness.”
The department’s Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Student Trooper Program is open to high school students aged 15-17. This year, the program graduated 68 cadets.
“This is probably one of the best classes we've had, to be honest with you,” said Brault, who has been with the program for nearly 20 years. “We had kids that wanted to be there and got involved with the troopers.”
Brault said when cadets graduate from the Legion’s Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Student Trooper Program, he wants them to walk away and always carry with them one thing.
“Self-confidence. Some of them come in with no confidence. When they leave, they have self-confidence and they know if they try, if they really try from something deep down inside, they can do whatever they want.
“To see the kids the first day (of the program) and seeing them the last day when parents can’t pick out their own child in formation because they don’t recognize their kid standing up there. The cadets are very proud of themselves. It’s awesome.
“I’m very proud of the program.”
- Junior Law