PAGE 32 | THE THIN BLUE LINE | MARCH 2014 By Melissa Afable I t’s 6 a.m. Most high school seniors aren’t even awake yet, as their first 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 exemplifies the main goals behind the one-of-a-kind exploratory educational experience that is POPP. With a partnership between LAPD civilian staff and officers, 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 benefit of allowing POPP cadets a chance to earn their high school diploma concurrently with 15 college units per semester. What began five 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 official two-year career technical college offsite 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 finish their two-year degree together. Best of all, for the first year of POPP, students receive their books and courses free of charge. LAPD Sgt. II John Amendola, who serves as the officer 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 aſter-school extracurricular activity. POPP cadets begin each day’s training at 0600 hours and end at 1430 hours. Aſter beginning physical training at 0600 hours, POPP cadets raise the flags, 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 aſter class. POPP cadets wear uniforms and address their instructors with “sir” and “ma’am.” is strict environment, however, is not the most difficult 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 driſt away,” she said. “e hardest thing is to remain focused and remember your goal that you want to be a police officer 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 law enforcement 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’s Law Enforcement Leaders Police Orientation Preparation Program ‘Strive, succeed, serve’ Short and sweet, this motto exemplifies 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.