In September 1941, the president of Washington State University asked Dr. Vivian Anderson (V.A.) Leonard if
he would accept the directorship of a Police Science Academic Program at Washington State. Dr. Leonard
accepted the offer and became responsible for developing a four-year curriculum, which would lead to a
Bachelor’s Degree in Police Administration. Upon his arrival at Washington State, Dr.
Leonard began to realize how important it was that a Police Science
Honorary be established. The purpose of this honorary would be to promote excellence in scholarship and
performance. In January 1942, Dr. Leonard met with seventeen Police Science majors at Washington State and
Alpha Phi Sigma was established. Glenn Hill was elected as the first president and appointed a committee to
draft the first Constitution and By-laws. During its initial years Alpha Phi Sigma experienced only limited growth, but on March 24, 1976 in Dallas,
Texas, the Executive Board of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) voted unanimously to
designate Alpha Phi Sigma as the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. At this time, Alpha Phi Sigma had
only fourteen chapters however, since then, Alpha Phi Sigma has continued to grow and prosper at a very rapid
rate and there are now over four hundred Chapters. In 1981, Alpha Phi Sigma was admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) as a
certified member. Over the years the National Office has been located at Universities across the country, such
as, Boise State University, Eastern Kentucky University, Florida International University, Fairmont State
University, Marshall University, Midwestern State University, Tarleton State University, Texas Woman’s
University, Washington State University.
