Youth Support
The School Resource Unit
provides law enforcement staffing at
all junior and high school campuses
within Arlington ISD. Officers also
provide support to several youth
initiatives including Police Explorers,
Police Activities League Camp,
and Hometown Recruiting. Student
Resource Officers also manage the
department’s anti-bullying efforts and
Campus Crime Stoppers program.
The Police Explorer Post 602 allows
teens who have expressed an interest
in law enforcement to participate in
the program. In 2018, Explorers placed
second overall out of 80 teams and
took first place in several categories
including Officer Down, Unknown Call
for Police, and Domestic Crisis at a
statewide competition.
The Police Activities League (PAL)
Camp hosted 93 adolescents from
Boys and Girls Club and Arlington
ISD over a 4-week period. Participants
played sports with officers, engaged in
team building exercises, and had small
group discussions about challenges
faced by teens in school environments.
The department’s Hometown
Recruiting program exposes high
school seniors to the law enforcement
profession by providing them with
curriculum similar to the department’s
basic police academy. Many officers
contribute hours to the program
through scenario based training and
team building exercises. Students
progress through their college career
by maintaining contact with the
Hometown Recruiting Officer and
participation in community education
programs and events. Students
successfully completing the Hometown
Recruiting program are guaranteed
an interview and are prioritized in the
recruit hiring process. In 2018, the
program was expanded to two classes
consisting of 24 diverse students.
There are 25 former graduates of the
high school program who are currently
enrolled in college.
Arlington, Texas Police Department |
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