The original PAL was started by Captain John Sweeney of the New York Police Department in 1910. His desire was to offer inner city youth positive experiences involving law enforcement. Police began supervising and becoming involved in places of play – ball fields, classrooms and playgrounds.

Through the endeavors of the PAL, children were able to view officers as friends and mentors, thus preventing many crimes and helping to nurture law abiding citizens. Currently there are more than 300 PAL chapters in more than 700 cities and 1,700 facilities nationwide