With the continuation of the Institute sessions in 1938 and 1939, more students became eligible for active membership in LAE and enthusiasm for membership activities was sustained.

The second Annual Convention was held in Oakland August 17 and 18, 1939 with Walter Hawkinson, Oakland Police Inspector, elected as the third President of LAE. During the ensuing year, the Technical Institute for Peace Officer Training was transferred to the Los Angeles (U.C.L.A.) and Berkeley (U.C.B.) campuses of the University of California, and training activities expanded.

At the third Annual Convention, held in Bakersfield September 26 and 27,1940, James Ritchie, Alameda County Deputy Sheriff, was elected fourth President of the Fraternity. A group of members from Los Angeles petitioned to form a new Chapter. On April 25, 1941 Beta Chapter was established at Los Angeles with the Mayor, Chief of Police and Sheriff attending the ceremony, again, indicative of the high level of respect and support for the endeavor by public officials and police administrators.

The fourth Annual Convention in Santa Barbara on September 19 and 20, 1941 was a milestone in terms of the number of members attending from Alpha and Beta Chapters and interest from a broad sector of law enforcement officials. Many members were in the military or naval service. Robert C. Knight, Assistant Chief of Police, Bakersfield was elected fifth President of "Grand" Chapter. The fifth Annual Meeting was held in Oakland on September 1 and 12, 1942 with Sergeant Robert H. Morton, Modesto Police Department, designated as the sixth President of Grand Chapter. A significant number of members were absent due to active duty in the Armed Forces. Travel restrictions, wartime conditions, and emergency conditions limited attendance and participation at the sixth Annual Convention, where all existing officers were re-elected for an additional term.

At the seventh Annual Convention, on September 16, 1944, Thomas P. Hunter, Agent, U.S. Secret Service (and former police officer, Alameda and Berkeley Police Departments), was elected seventh President of Grand Chapter. Secretary Macabee, who had served since 1937, "retired" to enter private business and was replaced in that capacity by Jesse J. Jackson, Lt. of Inspectors, Oakland Police Department.

After eight years, Lambda Alpha Epsilon found its membership spread throughout the world, on the battlefields of Europe, Asia, Alaska and the South Pacific. In spite of law enforcement being "exempt" from the military draft, the training and expertise of peace officers was essential to the military and adjunct services in time of war. LAE Journals of the 1943-46 era are replete with stories of heroism of its members with messages of hope for the future from the war zones to the home front.

Those who remained at home were planning for the future. Fraternity committees developed curriculum suggestions for subjects to be included at in-service police schools within California departments, and at colleges within the state. Members were striving to uphold and support the stated aims and purposes of Lambda Alpha Epsilon.
                                         Aims and Purposes of Lambda Alpha Epsilon

1. To promote a greater fraternal relationship among graduates of technical and
    professional police schools.

2. To promote higher standards of educational attainments among peace officers.

3. To promote the institution of courses of police science by recognized colleges
    and universities.

4. To promote research projects in the field of police science.

5. To promote a better understanding by the public of the aims and deals of peace
    officer organizations.
6. To promote the selection of properly trained personnel for law enforcement
    positions.

7. To promote standard modem methods in the field of law enforcement.

8. To promote unity of action among law enforcement agencies.

Those who served at home planned for the future. Changes were inevitable, and the limitation of membership needed to be broadened.

Post-World War II Expansion

With the return of "Veteran" LAE members from the military to their former jobs and the renewed interest in veterans with G.l. benefits seeking employment in law enforcement jobs, the role of LAE changed. Many of the Charter members were Vollmer-trained or influenced persons who were now moving into administrative roles of influence in the field. The emphasis on quality training and new methods of detection were generally accepted standards.

LAE opened its membership to any college graduate who was either employed full-time in a police agency or had completed at least thirty college units in police science or administration with a "B Average" or better. Between 1945 and 1950 subordinate chapters had been established in San Francisco (Delta Chapter), San Jose (Gamma) and Sacramento (Eta), with membership open only to full-time, sworn employees of law enforcement agencies or instructors in police training courses in state colleges.

Annual meetings were held with Grand Chapter functioning in a coordination and policy-making role between the five subordinate chapters.

Breaking the College and State Barriers

With the establishment, in 1950, of a professional School of Criminology at the University of California, Berkeley, the climate was right to expand membership to pre-service persons. The school was the ultimate goal of August Vollmer and the first Dean was Orlando W. Wilson, a former Berkeley police officer who had achieved notoriety as Chief of Police and Military Police Governor in postwar Berlin. Dean Wilson was a member of LAE.

When the petition for a new chapter was received at Grand Chapter, a long discussion ensued as to the feasibility of accepting non-sworn persons into LAE. The granting of the Charter to Epsilon Chapter broke two barriers: Student membership and the admission of" "Brother Barbara Feister", Secretary and Criminology major, the first female member of LAE. The Chapter President was John Warner, who still maintains active membership as Deputy Director, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (Retired).