In March 1999, the Oxnard Police Department and the Oxnard Union High School District, in a partnership endeavor, implemented the first Academy for Young Adults. This 60-hour program meets every Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30p.m.to 5:50 p.m. and occasionally for half-day sessions on Saturdays.
The Academy is designed to provide youth with insight to the law enforcement profession. This program differs from other youth-type academies in four ways: School Administrators have selected the 26 students participating in this initial Academy. Counselors and administrators from each of the five area high schools (including satellite schools) selected 4-6 students.
The curriculum for classes was approved by the School District; therefore, upon successful completion of the program, students will receive 5.0 high school units This is a cooperative effort between the Oxnard P.D. and the Oxnard School District.
Retired Commander Gar Amar is responsible for coordinating the Community Law Enforcement Academy for Young Adults. Commander Amar possess a teaching credential and has developed the compressive course study for this academy.
The design of the program is awareness through classroom interaction only — no physical training is included. A partial listing of topics covered include:
History of Law Enforcement
Community Policing
The Criminal Justice System
Cultural Diversity
Ethics
Roles of Police Investigations
Demonstrations by SWAT, K-9, Motorcycle Unit, Bicycle Unit, and Police Activities League
Racial Profiling
Youth Conflict Resolution
and many more interesting topics
In May 1999, the class began touring the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and the Regan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. The program will culminate with a graduation ceremony in which the schools superintendent, high school principals, mayor and city council of Oxnard, and the chief of police will be invited to participate.
This program has become well known topic around the high schools and is being “talked-about.” To that end, a second Academy will began in September 1999 and two classes a year are being taught twice a year on the Oxnard High School Campus at 3400 West Gonzales Road.
To assist the students who do not drive, our P.A.L. vans pick them up at their high school and bring the students to the Academy location, which is at the new Oxnard High School. The vans return to pick up students at the end of class and transport them home.
Minimum Requirements to be accepted in the program, students must:
Have a 2.0 G.P.A.
Attend a high school in the OUHSD.
Class standing: current Junior or Senior.
Have an interest in law enforcement.
If you have any questions concerning the Community Law Enforcement Academy for Young Adults, please contact Sergeant Luis Mancha of the Youth Services Unit at Luis.Mancha@oxnardpd.org.