New Law Lays Groundwork For Teens Who Want To Work In Law Enforcement

Amid reports that local law enforcement is having trouble recruiting new officers, a new Oklahoma law is aiming to get more teenagers interested in those careers.

The newly-approved law lays the groundwork for teens looking to get a head start in law enforcement training.

It's creating a partnership between Career Tech and the CLEET Academy where officers across the state receive their certifications.

The new law will make it possible for 16 to 19-year-olds to be able to participate in CLEET training and receive credits before they can officially join the academy when they turn 21.

"I know when I got into law enforcement 42 years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into,” CLEET director Brandon Clabes said. “I think it will give them the opportunity to see what law enforcement does.”  

State representative Rande Worthen, who wrote the law, said it will help smaller communities whose law enforcement numbers are limited.

"As far as the classroom training, that is then point to speed up that process,” Worthen said. “I will be a helpful took for smaller communities that have three to five officers.”  

Even with the new law, you can't handle a firearm as part of CLEET Academy training until you're 21 years old.