High school students participate in week-long law enforcement camp

Connecticut high school students interested in law enforcement and the FBI participated in the annual Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy (FLEYA) program held July 14 – 20, 2024 on Yale’s campus.

The New Haven Field Office of the FBI and the Yale Police Department (YPD) partnered to bring the week-long overnight camp to students, exposing them to careers in law enforcement and the legal profession. Thirty students participated in classroom training, crisis situations, de-escalation tactics, and hands-on exercises taught by instructors from the state, federal, and local law enforcement agencies and the YPD.

“It is an honor for the Yale Police Department to continue our partnership in hosting the Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy at Yale University,” said Anthony Campbell, chief of police for the Yale Police Department and associate director of Yale Public Safety. “Exposing youth to various career paths in this noble profession will net huge gains not only for the law enforcement industry but for the next generation of servant leaders. The academy does an excellent job of emphasizing through guest speakers that any career interest can be used in the law enforcement industry.”

To get accepted to the FLEYA, high school students aged 16-18 and residents of Connecticut must submit a 500-word essay describing how they integrate the FBI’s motto, Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity, into their daily lives. Students whose essays are chosen are invited to participate in a phone interview. The final step in the selection process is in-person panel interviews.

“When the selected FLEYA students first arrive at Yale’s campus, they are a little anxious and visibly nervous,” said FBI Public Affairs Specialist Charlie Grady. “By the second day of the program, they are fully engaged with all things FLEYA. By the end of the week, the students are confident, well-educated on their career options, and energized to take on life’s challenges. FLEYA was labeled “the premiere FBI summer program” for a reason. Because it is!”

Established in 2015, Grady said the program is starting to see the “fruits of its labor.” Alums from the program are working in various roles in law enforcement, and FLEYA programs have been replicated in New Orleans, Milwaukee, and Denver.

“I learned so much through the various presentations, and I really appreciate the diversity of the presentations, ranging from cybercrimes to transnational repression. I loved meeting all the people from different backgrounds and having the opportunity to talk one-on-one, a super rare experience. I would say I was a bit more of a mouse when I joined FLEYA, but my social skills have definitely improved from this program, and I feel like a lion now!” said Sandra Nip, class of 2024.