CADET LAWMAN ACADEMY

Sponsored by:
OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL,
OKLAHOMA STATE TROOPERS ASSOCIATION
and
OKLAHOMA ELKS MAJOR PROJECTS

Past Academy Class Photos

Click here to download an application. Submit COMPLETED before April 1st.

What is Cadet Lawman

Cadet Lawman Academy gives selected high school seniors-to-be a first hand taste of what it takes to be a Trooper with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol . The young men and women experience training in precision driving, traffic and boating law enforcement, firearm instruction, self-defense, and law enforcement history.

Activities include a tour of Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite, OK. This is a state prison that opened in 1910 which holds medium level security prisoners.  The Cadets also participate in many other tour and practical exercises.  

The week-long program is held annually the first full week of June in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. The week is spent with Troopers, Police Officers, Dispatchers, and other law enforcement and medical personnel.

Many who attended the Cadet Lawman Academy in their teens are found in today's ranks of troopers.

How To Attend

Contact a Trooper or an Elk Member in your area and ask for an application or download one online, below.

Available to Oklahoma high school students only, during the summer between their Junior and Senior year.

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39th Annual Cadet Lawman Academy is being held June 3rd - 9th, 2012.

124 Cadets - 39 Girls and 85 Boys
(Click the pic to enlarge)

Past Academy Class Photos

History of Cadet Lawman in Oklahoma

In 1973, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Price and Lt. Bill Hollars went to Kansas to observe a similar program.
It involved mostly classroom work with limited hands-on activities.

Cadet Lawman was started in Oklahoma in l974 and co-sponsored by the Jaycees and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol - Safety Education Division.  The first year 39 young men attended Cadet Lawman at the Robert R. Lester Training Center in Oklahoma City.

In 1976 the Jaycees and the Oklahoma Elks Major Projects sponsored Cadet Lawman with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol - Safety Education Division.  Also, in 1976 3 girls attended the academy along with 44 boys.

The program moved to Burns Flat in 1977 and was sponsored by the Oklahoma State Troopers Association, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Oklahoma Elks Major Projects who still sponsor the program. 

Other vital sponsors include Western Technology Center in Burns Flat, Burns Flat - Dill City Schools, CUDD Pressure Control,
COHPS - Concerned Oklahomans for the Highway Patrol Society, Friends of the NRA, and many other people who help out year after year.
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In June 2011, 124 young men (85) and women (39) completed the 38th Cadet Lawman Academy.

From 1974 - 2011 4182 cadets have attended Cadet Lawman Academy.

Requirements

The eligible applicant must be:

an Oklahoma resident between their Junior and Senior years in high school, in the top half of their class scholastically, physically able to compete in all activities during the week long program, a completed Cadet Lawman Application form and current picture, an OSSAA medical physical dated July 1, of the previous year or later,             (physical has to be valid through the dates of the Academy) a signed endorsement on the application from the parent or guardian, a signed endorsement on the application from the high school principal or superintendent, a signed endorsement on the application from their Elks Lodge president, a signed endorsement on the application from an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper, the candidate must believe in the Elks principles of Law and Order, and service to God and Humanity.

When and Where

The Academy is held the first full week in June, starting on Sunday and ending with graduation exercises on the following Saturday.

Applications can be printed from here starting in January, and mailed in.  The application deadline is April 1st.

The Cadet Lawman Academy is located on the former Clinton - Sherman Air Force Base in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.
The Academy is approximately 20 miles southwest of Clinton on State Highway 44. 

Sunday Drop Off  -  Map Link        or       GPS Coordinates are Latitude = 35.359289  Longitude = -99.196866

Graduation  -  Map Link        or       GPS Coordinates are Latitude = 35.347563  Longitude = -99.171846
 

Sponsors and Costs

Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Troopers Association and Oklahoma Elks Major Projects

The cost of the program is paid by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma Troopers Association and the Oklahoma Elks Major Projects who all come together to sponsor the program. The program is FREE of charge to the students except for some spending money.

In most cases water, soft drinks, chips, and supplies are donated by people or companies.  Some include CUDD Pressure Control,
COHPS - Concerned Oklahomans for Highway Patrol Society, and Friends of the NRA - Oklahoma.

Western Technology Center in Burns Flat provide dining and classroom along with preparing meals for the Academy.
Burns Flat - Dill City Schools provide the buses and sports complex for the week plus the gymnasium for graduation. 
Plus the Burns Flat BFF's for the homemade ice cream and cookies for the Friday night ice cream social

Training

Every cadet receives instruction in firearms, defensive driving tactics, history of law enforcement, laws of arrest,
radar enforcement, aircraft and boating safety, and the responsibilities of a citizen.

Personal Appearance

Each cadet will have a neat haircut. No exposed jewelry is to be worn except watches and rings.
A well groomed, personal appearance will be stressed throughout the week.

Accommodations

Rooms are heated and air conditioned. There are adequate rest room and shower facilities, a clean modern dining room,
and well-lighted classrooms. Ball diamonds, volleyball and an outside area for recreation are available.

Food

A balanced diet of good, wholesome food is provided. Table manners are stressed.
Western Technology Center in Burns Flat prepares and serves most all meals we have during the week.

Emergency Endorsement

Parents will need to give "authorization of anesthesia and performance of emergency operations and dental care". This permission will be used ONLY in case an emergency arises. The Troopers in charge are very safety conscious, and strict discipline is adhered to at all times.

Questions

If interested persons have further questions or desire applications, they should contact their local Elks Lodge.
If there is not a lodge in your area, contact a State Trooper.

Selection Process

The final selection of cadets is made by a committee from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Elks Lodge. The applicant will be notified if selected. Candidates not selected will also be notified and placed on an alternate list.  An alternate will be called to fill any openings.

Cadet Lawman Staff

The Cadet Lawman Staff will be men and women of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and personnel from other law enforcement agencies.
Staff members are highly qualified and skilled in the many phases of law enforcement.

Applications

(405) 425-2004        or         E-Mail

The application must be COMPLETED IN FULL.

  Thank the Elks for their continued support. 

Map of Elk Lodges in Oklahoma

Ada Lodge #1640 Bristow Lodge #1614 Claremore Lodge #1230 Duncan Lodge #1446

Oklahoma City Lodge #417 Perry Lodge #2629 Stillwater Lodge #1859 Tulsa Lodge #946

Oklahoma Elks Major Projects Elk Lodges Online U.S.A. Elk Lodge Websites

Ada, OK No. 1640 Altus, OK No. 1226 Alva, OK No. 1184 Ardmore, OK No. 1906 Atoka, OK No. 2623 Bartlesville, OK No. 1060 Blackwell, OK No. 1347 Bristow, OK No. 1614 Broken Arrow, OK No. 2673 Chickasha, OK No. 2125 Claremore, OK No. 1230

Cushing-Drumright, OK No. 2712 Duncan, OK No. 1446 Durant, OK No. 1963 Edmond, OK No. 2578 El Reno, OK No. 743 Enid, OK No. 2104 Grove, OK No. 2715 Guymon, OK No. 1885 Kingfisher, OK No. 2416 Lawton, OK No. 1056 Lindsay, OK No. 2351

Mangum, OK No. 1169 Mc Alester, OK No. 533 Miami, OK No. 1320 Midwest City, OK No. 1890 Muskogee, OK No. 517 Oklahoma City, OK No. 417 Okmulgee, OK No. 1822 Pawhuska, OK No. 2542 Perry, OK No. 2629 Ponca City, OK No. 2002 Pryor, OK No. 2320

Sand Springs, OK No. 2553 Sapulpa, OK No. 1118 Seminole, OK No. 2516 Shawnee, OK No. 657 Stillwater, OK No. 1859 Sulphur-Davis, OK No. 2079 Tahlequah, OK No. 2601 Tulsa, OK No. 946 Wagoner, OK No. 2838 Woodward, OK No. 1355

Also Special Thanks to:

http://www.ostaonline.org/

Here is what past cadets have to say........

I attended Cadet Lawman Academy in 1990 and I still hold such fond memories of my week at Burns Flat. I experienced things that for the rest of my life I will never forget! I still keep in touch with another cadet I met there. To anyone even remotely interested in attending, I encourage you to do so! It has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.

Kristin (Bass) Hoover

Alan, this site is looking excellent. I didn't know about it until a friend at school told me about it. keep up the good work and hope to hear from ya in the future. oh, by the way, hello to all the troopers out there that I have met through the cadet lawman academy and thanks for a time of my life! both years were exciting and definitely a time to remember. thanks again for everything. love the site!!!

Casey Christensen

I attended the 26th Cadet Lawman Academy and I was in the green platoon with platoon leader Trooper Wallace. It was my highlight of my summer if not my life so far. If anyone reading this is doubtful about going to cadet lawman all I can say is the first day or two is kinda tough but you survive. It strengthens you as a person and gives you self confidence. The people you meet you will never forget and it is amazing how close you can get in a week. Its an awesome experience and I will NEVER regret going. I would recommend anyone to go. It is awesome! thanks for your time. =)

Monica Bensch

Dear OHP Troopers,
I am a graduate of this month's 26th Cadet Lawman Academy. I want to thank each and every one of you that donated your time to the academy. It was the best week of my life, and you guys are the reason why. Thank you very much, please keep safe.

Andrew Martin

That one week changed my life forever. In those short days I learned things about myself I had never even dreamed was possible. It gave me so much more confidence in myself, not only because if how tough it is, but because of the wonderful highway patrolmen, like Trooper Tony Crabtree and Trooper Sherman, policemen, and others that made it possible. Thanks to you all for all of your dedication and hard work. May God bless you all and keep you safe!

Jessalynn

I just wanted to write and let everyone know what a great program Cadet Lawman is for todays youth. It helps to teach us respect for OHP and other law enforcement agencies. Also it helps to teach discipline and teamwork. I am honored to be a graduate of the 26th Academy and I hope that I am able to go back as a Junior Staff member. I would also like to thank the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Troopers Association and the Oklahoma Elks Major Projects. I hope they continue to support this program for years to come.

Bryan Miller

I am a graduate of the 2000 Cadet Lawman Academy. I have known since I was young that my goal in life was to be a "Brown Shirt". There is nothing else that I would like to do. At the Academy you learn so much information that you may never learn anywhere else. Even if you have no interest in becoming a member of one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the nation it is still a good experience. You learn that trooper risk their lives everyday for you. You also get to do a lot of fun things like drive cars and shoot weapons. I mean, come on, where else are you going to get to drive a highway patrol car? (And not get arrested for it). Seriously, there are bonds formed while at the academy that no one can break. Not only from Cadet to Cadet but from Trooper to Cadet. Just recently I have had the pleasure of meeting up with some of my fellow graduates and it so much fun. So I guess by this message you kinda get the picture that the Academy is a one in a life time chance. If you are selected it is an HONOR!!! Many kids would give anything to be in your place. I hope to go back as a staff member this year so watch out!!!
If you have any questions please e-mail me!!

Cadet Keith Dale
Green Platoon "BAD BOYS"

Keith Dale