Awards Given at Police Magnet School

Eighty cadets at the Los Angeles Police Academy Magnet School at Monroe High School celebrated their accomplishments and looked to the future as the school held its second annual award presentation ceremony Friday.

Students received awards for academic excellence, achievement on physical fitness tests, community service, good conduct, meritorious service and citizenship.

“These are 15- and 16-year-old students achieving great things in a tough program,” said Joan Elam, Monroe principal.

“This is a great day for our school.”

The ceremony was held in the mock courtroom of the school’s law and government program.

Before the awards were presented, LAPD Deputy Chief Martin Pomeroy congratulated the students on their work--which includes rigorous testing on academics, physical fitness and mandatory community service--but stressed that they must not get complacent.

“Your work is not done,” he said. “There’s still a long road ahead to achieve the goal of becoming a police officer.”

Whether they are standing at attention, attacking the obstacle course or just walking across campus, the students are mindful of their goals.

“Anyone who is here wants to be a police officer, and we all take that very seriously,” said Jeff Munn, 16, a member of the academy’s inaugural class of 2000.

Monroe started the program with its 10th-grade class last year on the heels of the success of its now 8-year-old law and government magnet, Elam said.

“The students get so much out of the academy,” she said. “It’s already a great success.”

LAPD Capt. Val Paniccia agreed.

“The self-discipline they learn here will serve them no matter where they go in life,” said Paniccia, who was one of several officers attending the ceremony.

“Every child should have this opportunity.”