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.

Cadet Lawman was started in Oklahoma in 1974 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, in 1977, to the former Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base in Burns Flat, Oklahoma and resided at this historical base for 41 years, through the 44th academy in 2017.  Western Technology Center in Burns Flat, Burns Flat – Dill City Schools, Elk City Elks Lodge, Quartz Mountain Fun Park, Foss Lake State Park, Burns Flat BFF’s, Retired Troopers, and many other people helped year after year.  

The week-long program is held annually the first full week of June. 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.

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. For an application, Apply Here