PAGE 32 | THE THIN BLUE LINE | MARCH 2014

By Melissa Afable

It’s 6 a.m. Most high school seniors aren’t even awake yet, as their � rst classes of the day are still two hours away. But Cristina Barrientos and Arrenz Nulud aren’t like most high school seniors. By 0600 hours,

Cristina and Arrenz, along with 98 of their peers, are beginning physical training, climbing walls, jumping fences, running and doing a variety of other drills for the next hour-and-a-half. � eir responses to their instructors are bookended with a respectful “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am.” � ey are squad leaders in the LAPD’s Police Orientation Preparation Program (POPP), and their day has just begun.

‘Strive, succeed, serve’Short and sweet, this motto exempli� es the main

goals behind the one-of-a-kind exploratory educational experience that is POPP. With a partnership between LAPD civilian sta� and o� cers, LAUSD coordinators and consultants, along with Los Angeles Community College District deans and college faculty, the POPP gives high school seniors and college freshmen a simulated LAPD recruit experience that also comes with the unique bene� t of allowing POPP cadets a chance to earn their high school diploma concurrently with 15 college units per semester.

What began � ve years ago as a semester away program for high school students soon turned into a two-year program that allows POPP cadets upon completion to acquire all competency requirements needed to receive

an associate of arts degree in criminal justice. In the past two years, the program has grown to include an o� cial two-year career technical college o� site program that is administered by West Los Angeles College. POPP’s current enrollment is 100 students split into two cohorts—50 in the freshman class and 50 in the

sophomore class. Students continue in their cohort, so that all 50 students in each cohort start and � nish their two-year degree together.

Best of all, for the � rst year of POPP, students receive their books and courses free of charge. LAPD Sgt. II John Amendola, who serves as the o� cer in charge of student training, explained that the cost of the second year of POPP is based on family income, and that the cost would only be for the course itself, which is currently $47 a unit. “However, most have that course fee waived due to their economic situations,” Sgt. Amendola said.

POPP is the only program currently in the U.S. that offers complete technical career training in addition to an associate of arts education. Arrenz said was

drawn to POPP because of that unique opportunity. Arrenz had been in the LAPD Cadet Program for two years when he heard about POPP. “I knew POPP was offering an associate’s in criminal justice, so I took advantage of it, knowing the cost wouldn’t be expensive at all compared to if I went to the West L.A.

College by itself,” Arrenz said. “And I do want to be a police officer, so that’s why I wanted to join.”

Unlike the LAPD’s other youth programs such as the LAPD Cadets and Police Activities League, the POPP takes place during normal school hours rather than on weekends or as an a� er-school extracurricular activity. POPP cadets begin each day’s training at 0600 hours and end at 1430 hours. A� er beginning physical training at 0600 hours, POPP cadets raise the � ags, go to two or three classes and then undergo a mandatory daily tutoring session.

POPP cadets may have to hit the books just like other high school students do, but the similarities end there. “In high school, we can choose to be there,” Cristina said. “But here, we have to be here.” Classroom time is managed more strictly—students can only take restroom breaks before or a� er class. POPP cadets wear uniforms and address their instructors with “sir” and “ma’am.”

� is strict environment, however, is not the most di� cult part of POPP for Cristina. “For me, the most challenging thing is not losing focus, because you’re exposed to so many great things, and you kind of start to dri� away,” she said. “� e hardest thing is to remain focused and remember your goal that you want to be a police o� cer and earn your degree. Also, [me and Arrenz] both have ranks [as squad leader], so trying to uphold that and keep it, it’s a challenge.”

For Arrenz, the greatest challenge of being in POPP is simple. “Waking up early and not missing school.”

Rigorous academic and lawenforcement preparation

Sgt. Amendola noted that the cadets have a great interest in law enforcement and criminal justice-related careers. “The curriculum is designed to give the student not only exposure, but also specific subject matter that prepares them to be an effective law enforcement officer,” he said.

Training Tomorrow’sLaw Enforcement Leaders

Police Orientation Preparation Program

‘Strive, succeed, serve’Short and sweet, this motto exemplifi es the main goals behind the

one-of-a-kind exploratory educational experience that is POPP.

POPP cadets assist at FTO school

POPP cadets during the 2013 graduation.

TBL_MAR14.indd 32 2/19/14 8:38 PM

MARCH 2014 | THE THIN BLUE LINE | PAGE 33

Top POPP students learn the core curriculum that’s sequenced into 30 units of criminal justice and 30 units of general education, including subjects like math, English and psychology. “� ey even receive 832 PC training,” Sgt. Amendola said, “which entails laws of arrest, search and seizure, the � rst, fourth, � � h, sixth and 14th Amendments—the center of constitutional policing.”

Cristina said the impact POPP has had on her life is “huge.” “We go on � eld trips, so we get to know people who are in the police � eld,” she said. “It’s also a very good experience to have on our resume, and we have good references here, because the people here know us.”

That level of mentorship and career preparation has certainly helped a number of POPP cadets succeed post graduation. Since POPP became an official two-year college, two POPP grads have moved on to serving the Los Angeles community at two different LAPD police stations. Eight additional cadets are currently in the hiring process with the Department, and six other POPP graduates are currently working for other municipal agencies. Still others are serving in different types of law enforcement capacities within the criminal justice system.

Post-POPP, Cristina plans on exploring the various options available to her as a result of attending POPP. Meanwhile, Arrenz’s aspirations include becoming an LAPD detective and attaining additional post education. With their unique POPP training, it’s hard to imagine them not accomplishing those goals.

The greatest thing POPP has done for these kids, Sgt. Amendola said, is that “it has opened their eyes to opportunities—that they can go further than they ever believed.”

Qualifi cations for potential POPP cadetsSgt. Amendola shared the qualifications for

joining POPP. “Future cadets should  have an earnest interest in becoming an officer—preferably, but not necessarily, an LAPD officer, have a good moral character, good ethics, an earnest desire to  serve the community, and  have led a life that would not preclude you from becoming a  police officer,” he said.

Several POPP cadets are kids of current LAPD officers, including freshman cadet Deryl Jackson, the son of LAPD PO III Deryl Jackson. Cadets can go into the Academy fully prepared for the next step in their police training.

Students interested in joining POPP should visit www.poppartc.com, join a cadet post at one of the LAPD’s 21 community police stations, talk to current police officers, and, of course, contact POPP at (310) 342-0511. ❖

POPP prepares cadets for a law enforcement career with rigorous academic and physical training.

POPP Cadets Cristina Barrientos and Arrenz Nulud

Cadet Deryl Jackson, son of PIII Deryl Jackson

League Members and Civilian LAPD with High School Seniors: Consider POPP

Want your high school senior to acquire his or her high school degree and an Associate’s in Criminal Justice free of charge? Encourage your teen to apply for POPP, where he or she will be trained by experienced law enforcement professionals, many of whom are LAPD sworn and staff members. For more information on how to join POPP, visit www.poppartc.com or call (310) 342-0511.

Cadets give a presentation to improve public speaking skills.

TBL_MAR14.indd 33 2/21/14 12:54 PM