Lincoln University Develops the First Police Academy at an HBCU

Lincoln University is officially the first HBCU to develop a police academy. The academy, which focuses on community-based policing, was created in response to the murder of George Floyd, and the deaths of many African Americans before and after his killing in situations that involve police brutality.

Lincoln University Police Chief Gary Hill created the academy to train police recruits on campus at the new Lincoln University Law Enforcement Training Academy (LULET), which is also 20th licensed police academy in the state and 665th in the nation.

The academy was approved last year, with a license signing ceremony that included Missouri Governor Mike Parson and the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

The training staff for the academy will comprise of Lincoln professors and police officers teaching part-time.

To participate in the 16-credit hour program, applicants must be 20 years of age prior to the start date, be a U.S. citizen, have a high school diploma or equivalence certificate, a vision of 20/40 with or without corrective lenses, a valid driver’s license, and an arrest record that is free from convictions.

Additionally, they must have proof of health and pass physical fitness requirements.

The academy’s curriculum includes constitutional law, Missouri statutory law, traffic law, patrol, traffic accident and law enforcement, criminal investigation, report writing, juvenile justice and procedures, first aid, ethics and professionalism, human behavior, community engagement, defensive tactics, physical training, firearms, driver training, and practical application exercises.