With the advent of new chapters outside the State of California, decentralization became necessary. In May of 1969, the nation was divided into five regions, with a vice-president in charge of each. The vice-presidents administered the activities of the regions in accordance with the goals of the association as a whole. Reorganization brought about reconstructing our thinking and new Bylaws were adopted in September 1970. Since the organization covers all facets of the field of criminal justice from law enforcement to the judiciary to corrections, the name was changed to Lambda Alpha Epsilon - The American Criminal Justice Association. In 1976, The name was reversed to read The American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda Alpha Epsilon. In March 1987, we celebrated our Golden Anniversary Conference with a gala celebration at our birthplace in San Jose, California.

Lambda Alpha Epsilon has continued to grow to the point where we now have six regions and instead of vice-presidents, we now have Regional Presidents. We have active chapters in almost 75% of our states including Hawaii and members-at-large throughout the world. We hold a National Conference every year with excellent workshops and speakers, written tests covering corrections, criminal and juvenile law, along with physical agility, crime scene investigation, and a National Pistol Match. Scholarships are awarded each year to our members who apply for them. The Association will continue to grow in size and stature in the years to come and members will be increasingly aware of the impact their membership in the Association in achieving their academic and professional goals.

The emblem of the American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda Alpha Epsilon Consists of a hexagon upon which is inscribed three Greek letters, Lambda, Alpha, and Epsilon, a web, a star, and pair of scales. The words "American Criminal Justice Association" appear on the outer edge of the insignia. Each of these figures has a particular significance for us in the field of criminal justice.

The Greek letter "Lambda" is the first letter of the Greek work "Lambano" that means "to detect and apprehend." "Alpha" is the first letter of the Greek word "Anakrinen" meaning "to adjudicate." "Epsilon" is the first letter of the Greek word "Exorthoun" which translated means "to rehabilitate." The three letters taken together are representative of the primary functions of criminal justice systems everywhere: to detect, to adjudicate, and to rehabilitate.

 The star is representative of the light of knowledge. The truth of the adage "Knowledge is power" becomes more apparent each day. Now, more that ever, those of us who are committed to the criminal justice system appreciate that only by acquisition and dissemination of knowledge can we hope to perform an adequate service to our communities. In our oath we have obligated ourselves to be both a teacher and a student of the art and science of criminal justice. Let this constantly remind us of our dedication to the pursuit of knowledge.

Traditionally, scales are emblematic of justice. As criminal justice agents, we are committed to deal with our respective tasks honestly, truthfully, and without prejudice. The evidence of our skills is the ability to consummate our tasks with the highest degree of professional integrity possible.

The web symbolizes that great complexity of criminal activity. The web has a second significance for criminal justice agents. It accentuates the multitude of agencies dedicated to cope with this massive dilemma. Each part of agency cooperation helps eliminate a strand in the web of crime making it progressively easier to deal with this enormous social problem.

As a member of the American Criminal Justice Association - Lambda Alpha Epsilon, you are entitled to several benefits. The entitlements the association offers are granted to each individual member or earned through competitive activities. These entitlements include:

Upon acceptance into ACJA-LAE, members receive:

Membership Certificate - that can be printed on parchment paper and framed. It contains the member's name, the association logo and seal, the date of acceptance, and the approval of acceptance by the signature of the National President and Executive Secretary.

Membership Card - that identifies them as a member of ACJA-LAE. After initial acceptance,

the card is issued annually upon renewal of Association membership.

Membership Pin - a gold organizational identification pin that is a facsimile of the ACJA-LAE

logo. To be worn with pride.

ACJA-LAE Sticker - to be placed on books, cars, etc.

National Journals and Newsletters - distributed to each active member. The publication contains information about recent developments and synopses of released publications on the criminal justice field, association activities to the National, Regional, and Chapter levels, and accomplishments and news of individual members.

Publisher's Discounts - special discount for ACJA-LAE members to the NELS Bulletin (National Employment Listing Service) published out of Sam Houston State University. A monthly publication listing jobs currently available nationwide in areas of law enforcement, security, institutional corrections, community services, academics, and research. This is one of the largest job banks in the country.

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