Juvenile Diversion

The program provides youth services for children, age 5 to 12 and for adolescents, age 13 to 18, who meet program eligibility requirements and reside in the City of Los Angeles. Services include citizen police academies, juvenile delinquency prevention, juvenile diversion and youth development. Services are restricted to residents of the City of Los Angeles; some programs are for LAUSD students in designated schools. Services include a citizen police academy for adolescents, juvenile delinquency prevention programs for children and middle school youth; juvenile diversion for adolescents; and youth development programs. For Police Activities League programs see the separate entry The Police Explorer Program, a citizen police academy that provides training on 12 consecutive Saturdays at the LAPD Academyin Elysian Park. A new class begins every three months. To qualify for the Police Explorer Program, youth must maintain a "C" average in classwork and have no criminal record. The participants are given an overview of police procedures, ethics, radio communications, report writing, desk procedures, human relations, and physical training. Explorers may work at community events, raise money for Explorer Posts, work at public awareness events and in crime prevention and safety campaigns. The Explorer color guard is often asked to provide flag ceremonies at public events. The program also provides youth with an opportunity to travel to other states, to compete in athletic events, endurance competitions and various police activities.