East Lansing police officers are taking youths to court - where the biggest offense is a double dribble.

Basketball season began last week for the Police Athletic League, a program designed to help relations between youths and the East Lansing Police Department.

The league was started in 1998 when Officer James Campbell grew tired of watching East Lansing children getting into trouble.

“There were kids in the community that didn’t have anything constructive to do,” he said. “So we gave them something to do with athletics.”

Campbell, along with former MSU basketball players Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson, took kids to a park to play basketball.

“And that,” Campbell said, “Is where it all started.”

Now the league has more than 300 5- to 14-year-olds registered to play ball with officers Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with five police officers who volunteer their off duty time.

The league also offers kickball and flag football. Campbell said he hopes to have hockey, soccer and swimming added next year.

The league is free to all youngsters in the community and is coached by parents, greek members and officers.

“If kids don’t have anything to do after school and can’t afford to be in the leagues you pay money to, then this is a good time,” Campbell said.

Chanae McCormick-Downer joined the league last week. She found out about it by fliers the East Lansing Police Department handed out to her school.

“Basketball is a good sport that’s good for the heart,” the 11-year-old said. “I just love playing.”

Chad Connelly, an East Lansing K-9 officer, works with 10- to 14-year-olds on Mondays. He has been part of the league for three and a half years and said sports is a good way for the police to interact positively with students.

“The sports medium helps them to make good decisions about life in general,” he said as he handed out blue and yellow jerseys to young girls for a scrimmage.

Ten-year-old Marilyn Smith said it is a good way to exercise.

“My favorite part is getting the ball stolen from other people,” she said.

East Lansing police Capt. Juli Liebler coaches 8 and 9-year-olds on Wednesday nights. She joined the league to support Campbell and the community.

“I think it is a good opportunity for young kids to get to know adults in the community other than their parents and teachers,” she said.

Liebler also said that the league is a big part of community policing, a program that allows residents to meet and work with the officer in their area.

“It is one of the biggest components in establishing a relationship so they trust you,” she said.

Campbell said the police department, parents and city officials are behind the league.

“It gives the officers a different outlet to the community,” he said. “We are just having a good time.”