17. The program was established during the 1985 National Convention in New Orleans "as a way to stimulate respect for law enforcement and patriotic and responsible leadership." It started under the leadership of the Americanism Commission, but was transferred to the National Security Commission (specifically the Law and Order Committee) in 1990. In the same vein, this committee also recommends to the national commander each year likely candidates for the Legion’s National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, first awarded in 1997.

At the 2011 Spring Meetings, the NEC passed Resolution No. 37, which moved the program back to the Americanism Commission and restated encouragement for departments to put on Junior Law Cadet Programs, in conjunction with their respective state police or highway patrol.

Weeklong programs are put on mostly at law-enforcement training centers; officers conduct physical training, classroom work and more. Click here (http://www.legion.org/juniorlaw) to learn more about the history of the program, which departments currently hold programs, and how to start a program if your department isn’t on the prior list.