The Cadet Lawman Academy’s (CLA) mission is twofold. CLA is offered to high school students who are transitioning from their Junior to Senior years. Cadet applicants are expected to be in good standing academically and within their communities. It is a weeklong program that runs the first full week of June. It provides cadets with an introduction to law enforcement and functions as a leadership program.

The intent of the program is to give young men and women a better understanding of the law enforcement profession and hopefully spark interest in a career in law enforcement. Furthermore, the leadership traits learned during CLA can be applied throughout their lives. This leadership training will positively reflect in their occupations, communities, families, and themselves.

CLA is sponsored by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma State Troopers Association, and the Oklahoma Elks Major Projects. The sponsorships have remained strong for nearly 50 years due to the program's outstanding results. Of the 5,255 cadets who have completed the program, almost 35% have pursued a career in law enforcement.

As stated earlier, this program is designed to give you a better understanding of law enforcement. You will have the opportunity to watch and participate in the same types of training the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Cadets are given before they are assigned to the highways of Oklahoma.

CLA consists of but is not limited to the following:

• Driver Training - which is conducted on a closed course and presented by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Driving Training (LEDT) instructors.
• Firearms training – training will be conducted throughout the academy with one full day at a range utilizing handguns and shotguns, conducted by OHP Firearms Instructors.
• Ride-alongs – opportunities to ride on Oklahoma Lake Patrol vessels on the water and OHP aircraft in the air.
• Demonstrations – OHP Bomb Squad, OHP K-9s, and OHP TAC Team
• Physical Training, Drill and Ceremony, Core Values – instructed by the TAC staff.

Not everything during CLA is all business; there will be opportunities to cut loose and unwind to solidify the strong bonds you will make throughout the week with your fellow cadets and staff.

• Sports – Softball and Volleyball tournaments will be held, with championship games for both sports.
• Activities – water park, pizza party, dinner and dance, and graduation.

On behalf of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma State Troopers Association, and the Oklahoma Elks Major Projects, it is our hope that you take this opportunity to be one of the few who have successfully completed the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Cadet Lawman Academy. This endeavor will challenge you and your fellow cadets and will give you a better understanding of law enforcement while providing you with crucial knowledge, skills, abilities, and friendships that will benefit you the rest of your life.