Chief who transformed LAPD Cadet Program to attend final Graduation NA16103ma

What:
Final LAPD Cadet Graduation for First Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger whose passion for youth, developed the Los Angeles Police Department’s signature program for community youth, the LAPD Cadet Leadership Program. First Assistant Chief Paysinger is the highest ranking African-American police officer in the LAPD and will be retiring after nearly 41 years of the service with the LAPD.

When:
Saturday, May 21, 2016, 11:00 a.m.

Where:
USC Galen Center
3400 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles 90007

Who:
LAPD Chief of Police Charlie Beck LAPD First Assistant Chief Earl C. Paysinger, Director, Office of Special Operations Mr. Matt Johnson, President, Police Commission Chief Cadet Omar Prudencio Other prominent City and community officials Over 500 LAPD Cadet graduates, thousands of fellow Cadets, family members, and law enforcement officials.

Why:
This is the last graduation ceremony for First Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger, who transformed the old 500-member Police Explorer program to the current LAPD Cadet program with over 7,000 members. The Program is offered at each of the 21 community police stations across the city, as well as at nine specialized divisions and universities. Chief Paysinger also created an 8-week Cadet Parent Academy that parallels the academic courses being offered to the Cadets. These courses help to encourage increased communication in the home about those issues that are affecting families today. The program has graduated 2,000 parents, and 200 parents will be graduating on Saturday.

The LAPD Cadet Leadership Program places a strong emphasis on leadership, character building, academic excellence and life-skills for teens. The LAPD Cadet Leadership Program also empowers students to maximize their personal, scholastic and life potential. The youth who participate in this program range in age from 13-21years, are in good scholastic standing and represent regions spanning the entire City and beyond.

Unlike the old Explorer program, which guided youth into law enforcement, the transformed LAPD Cadet Program provides our youth a solid foundation for whatever careers they choose with tutoring and college scholarships for those who earn them.

For more information about this special event, you may contact the LAPD Youth Programs Coordinator Senior Management Analyst Natalie Torres at 213-486-8440, or by visiting www.LAPDCadets.com.