National PAL History

The Police Athletic League started in 1910 when Lt. Ed Flynn of the New York City Police Department had the insight to offer inner-city youth positive activities involving police officers.  This involvement by officers at places of play such as ball fields, classrooms, and playgrounds helped to create a new perspective of the police by children.

Today PAL serves more than one and a half million youth.  The organization has over 300 law enforcement agencies serving over 700 cities and 1,700 facilities throughout the United States as well as the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

PAL offers structured and personal guidance in a safe and friendly environment. PAL not only provides athletic activities, but also performing arts including music, dance, drama, arts and crafts, photography, and others.

PAL is a volunteer driven organization.  Although many chapters are sponsored by law enforcement agencies, PAL receives no direct funding from them.  PAL depends on support from private sectors such as individuals, business leaders, corporations, and foundations.

Oklahoma City PAL History

The Oklahoma City Police Athletic League was formed in 1991 by Chief David McBride through a resolution approved by City Council.  The official date of certification from National PAL was March 11, 1991.  The non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation was formed on December 7, 1991.  PAL has operated through the Police Community Relations Unit since its inception.

The first program offered was boxing which began with forty participants.  Basketball was soon added.  The boxing program was held in a building behind Northeast High School and basketball was facilitated at the Police Training Gymnasium.  Both programs struggled financially.  Today, PAL has evolved and grown since the beginning and now offers several athletic and educational programs to thousands of children every year.