Transforming Futures: FBI and Yale Host Week-Long Law Enforcement Training Camp for Connecticut Youth

 

The Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy (FLEYA) is back for its sixth year, and the New Haven FBI and Yale Police Department are accepting applications from Connecticut youth aged between 16 and 18. The transformative week-long overnight camp is designed to provide hands-on experience in law enforcement and legal training and is hosted on Yale’s prestigious campus.

 

 

FLEYA offers an immersive academic environment that encourages Connecticut students to pursue higher education and careers in law enforcement. With classes led by Federal Agents, Assistant US Attorneys, State’s Attorneys, local police, and judges, the program offers a diverse range of perspectives and experiences in the field of law enforcement. During the program, students are under the guidance and care of sworn law enforcement and FBI employees, including Yale PD officers, FBI employees, and FBI National Academy Alumni. Daily and evening events are overseen by chaperones who promote ongoing communication and networking between law enforcement and the students, even after the program ends. Some FLEYA alumni are actually now interning at the FBI, and several are now full-time employees of the FBI and various law enforcement agencies. 

 

FLEYA has been replicated in several states across the country, but it all started in Connecticut. This year’s class follows the success of the partnership between the New Orleans Division of the FBI and Tulane University, which recently replicated the FLEYA program for the first time. FLEYA is impacting the future culture of law enforcement and legal proffessions.

 

For more information, view the 2023 FLEYA application packet here. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2023.

Former students of FLEYA recently shared with us their first-hand accounts of the impact that FLEYA had on their lives, highlighting the invaluable experience and enduring guidance that the program provided them. Their stories shed light on the transformative power that programs like FLEYA can have on the lives of young people.

 

Natalie McCarthy

FLEYA class of 2018 School: American University ‘24 Major: Justice & Law, with a focus on terrorism and security studies

“FLEYA was a game-changer for me, not only during the program week, but also in the years that followed. As a high school student, I was sure that I wanted to work in federal service, but I had no idea how to get there. FLEYA was my first introduction to the field and gave me the confidence and direction I needed to pursue my career goals. 

 

The relationships you build with your classmates and mentors are truly invaluable, and they will stay with you long after the program ends. To this very day, my FLEYA experience influences my decisions including choosing a college major, applying for internships, and curating my professional portfolio.”

 

 

“FLEYA was a transformative experience for me, providing me with unique opportunities to explore potential careers in law enforcement, make meaningful connections with my peers and industry professionals, and gain a deeper understanding of myself and how I can make a positive impact in the world.

 

Through FLEYA, I was able to reaffirm my passion for security and justice, which motivated me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master of International Affairs. It was through my experiences at FLEYA that I discovered that the justice system is made up of compassionate and supportive individuals not always interested in punitive outcomes, but rather in restorative justice practices. I appreciated that FLEYA welcomed students from all career paths, recognizing that law enforcement professionals come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, including the biological sciences, mathematics, literature, social sciences, and more.

 

One of the most important lessons I took away from FLEYA was the significance of diversity in law enforcement. To truly serve our communities, those in law enforcement must be willing to engage and learn from individuals with various backgrounds, cultures, and languages. Overall, FLEYA was a life-changing experience that allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I am grateful for the program and the impact it had on my journey towards a fulfilling career in law enforcement.”