ACJA, or Sigma Pi, Long Beach City College’s chapter of the larger National Criminal Justice Association held their first meeting on September 17 to support students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.
ACJA works to improve criminal justice through educational activities as well as promote professional, academic and public awareness of criminal justice issues.
“Most people join ACJA to help the community and people,” said Vice President, Maci Becerra, at LBCC’s Join A Club Day on September 12.
Club’s advisors Mike Biggs and Jim Henchey attended the meeting and participated in an icebreaker activity.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on in this club is our relationship with LAPD and the Long Beach Police Officers Association,” said retired police captain Jim Henchey.
Henchey added that ACJA does a lot of volunteering and is committed to doing so.
He also told students that volunteer events that the club is involved in are opportunities for students to make valuable networking connections that can be beneficial in preparing for employment in law enforcement.
Head of LBCC’s Criminal Justice department Mike Biggs, expressed his pleasure with the number of students present at the meeting and called ACJA a great organization.
“We are part of a national association and we stand by the values that they espouse,” he said.
Each semester, different chapters of the association compete in regional and national competitions in multiple categories including corrections, criminal law, physical agility, and police management.
Freshman Kyshia Hearns attended the club meeting and expressed an interest in joining the association.
Hearns is double majoring in sociology and criminology. She has had her goals set on becoming an FBI agent since childhood.
When asked about the driving force behind making that dream a reality, Hearns said she grew up in a neighborhood that was not the best.
She also noted not many black women are FBI agents.
“I want to bridge the gap,” Hearns said.
Cristina Rivera and Robert Cisneros also attended the meeting and expressed their desires to pursue law enforcement careers.
ACJA is currently preparing for the volunteer work they will be doing for the Lakewood Sheriff’s Department’s Halloween event, an event that all pledges must take part in.
Sigma Pi welcomes students with interests in criminal justice to participate in the pledging process, which requires students to attend some meetings/lectures and pass a few examinations among other things.
ACJA meetings are held at LAC room T-2313 on Tuesdays room 12 p.m. to 1 p.m..
Visit http://acja-sigma-pi.yolasite.com/events-and-news.php to pledge.