Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL)

Police Activity/Athletic Leagues began in 1914. The New York City Police Department formed the first PAL in an effort to reduce juvenile crime. As a membership organization, National PAL provides local Chapters in 41 states plus the District of Columbia; and Nigeria, Africa, with resources and opportunities to grow their own programs and enhance the quality of individual programing.

Today, there are over 300 National PAL Chapters in partnership with various law enforcement agencies. National PAL and its Chapters’ mission statement is to work nationwide promoting the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships among kids, cops, and communities through positive engagement. The PAL program brings youth under a partnership and positive influence of a law enforcement agency, while also expanding public awareness of the role of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, our programs reinforce the values and attitudes instilled in young people by their families.

PAL Chapters offer youth a variety of structured programs with representatives from the law enforcement community during critical after school hours. After school involvement in activities and athletics under the supervision of caring adults with access to mentors, coaches, and tutors as provided by local PALs, decrease the likelihood that at-risk youth will be involved in delinquent behavior.

Now, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson is relaunching the New Orleans Police Activity/ Athletic League. The New Orleans Police Department’s Police Activity League will serve youth by providing recreational programs in several areas of the city. The uniqueness of this program is that it will be staffed by police officers and several civilian volunteers. All staff members will specialize in recreation for youth. Tutoring services will be designed to enhance the New Orleans Police Activity/ Athletic League participant’s academic performance. Additionally, New Orleans Police Activity/ Athletic League (PAL) will partner with New Orleans Recreational Department Commission (NORDC) to ensure the safety of all participating adolescents.

Apply to be a youth mentee:

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