LAPD junior cadets program offers safe sanctuary for kids

SOUTH LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Police Department's junior cadets program offers a free, safe sanctuary for kids.

The idea? Stop gang violence before it starts.

"We're changing our modeling of policing in America and changing our modeling of policing in Los Angeles," Los Angeles police captain Cory Palka said.

"If people just walked into a police station, they'd see there's a lot of opportunity to do a lot of different things other than the traditional police station as they once knew," Palka said.

At the 77th Division station, about 60 kids are part of the LAPD junior cadets program, which serves kids 9 to 12. The traditional cadets program works with kids 13 to 18.

Kimberly Menjivar, 9, became a junior cadet six months ago. She said, at first, she was scared of the police.

"I thought they were going to do something bad," Menjivar said.

But, she said, the training has changed her views.

The group meets every Wednesday night. They go over training exercises, discuss their homework and play sports together.

They've also gone on field trips, including to the beach, movies, a boxing ring, the Santa Monica pier and back-to-school shopping.

"It's fun, you meet a lot of new people, new friends," said 11-year-old junior cadet Brice Proctor.

"I thought of the police like our heroes. They help us. They save people's lives," Proctor said.

Class leader Jay Arroyo wants to one day become an LAPD officer.

"I don't really like the way this world is going. I feel like one man can change the world, so I really want to do that!" Arroyo said.

Capt. Palka said there are free programs for kids at every police station in Los Angeles.

"This is not just a place where there's a jail. This is a place where kids can learn what we do, so we can have a better relationship," Palka said.