1914, New York – the PAL service model is employed and spreads through a century of grass-roots, community-based service that yeilds what will become an unparalleled success story in communities across America.

We at  LAPD Hollenbeck PAL recognize the hard work and pay tribute to the achievements of the New York PAL, and are honored to follow their service model.  We are delighted to celebrate 100 Years of PAL at our 2014 LAPD Hollenbeck PAL Awards Gala.

History of the Police Activities League (PAL) Movement

The Police Athletic League movement began in New York City nearly 100 years ago when Police Commissioner Arthur Woods and Captain John Sweeney gave birth to the concept of cops helping kids helping communities. It was their pioneering efforts that launched a youth service model that would spread throughout New York City and country. The notion that members of the law enforcement community would initiate prevention services to later avoid harsher intervention measures is what makes PAL the most logical and unique youth program in the country. 

Since 1914 PAL has been serving youth with safe, structured programming designed to engage boys and girls in positive activities that improve their quality of life, present developmental opportunities, and offer the prospect of a brighter future. What started out as the closing of streets by the New York City Police Department to enable the city’s unsupervised youth to play became a city-wide Cops & Kids movement and later a national model that brought communities and police together.

Today, there are over 400 PAL Member Chapters in law enforcement agencies servicing over 700 cities and 1,700 facilities throughout the United States, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, serving more than one million youth, ages 5 to 18.

The PAL concept is based on the conviction that young people – if they are reached early enough – can develop strong positive attitudes towards police officers in their journey through life toward the goal of maturity and good citizenship. The PAL program brings youth under the supervision and positive influence of a law enforcement agency supported by volunteers in many positions helping to expand public awareness about the role of a police officer and the reinforcement of the responsible values and attitudes instilled in young people by their parents.