Police Cadet Job Description
A police cadet program is the opportunity to learn about the ins and outs of police work, in order to decide whether to pursue a law enforcement career or not. Under the supervision of precinct personnel and veteran police officers the cadet experiences what it takes to develop important skills, like directing phones calls to the appropriate division. He also learns how to interact with the community during all kinds of problem-solving situations, such as observing what kind of steps are taken to diffuse conflicts amidst an unruly crowd.
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Qualifications
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In some departments, high school students with a good grade point average and their parents' or guardians' permission, are eligible for police cadet programs. Other departments require that potential candidates be enrolled in a four-year accredited college. All applicants must have a U.S. citizenship and a permanent residence in the police department's city or town. Requested brochures have detailed information about cadet programs and department personnel are available for any questions. The length of each program is four weeks to one year, depending on each department's work needs and funding.
Adminstrative Apprenticeship
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Many departments place eligible participants in different units, such as a detective division, fraud division, or neighborhood precinct, in order to expose them to the various jobs and different types of police work. For example, during the investigation of an armed robbery case, the cadet learns about the methods used to track down suspects such as matching fingerprints to registered ones in the criminal records system. Under the supervision of police personnel, some cadet duties include filing case reports and answering front desk phones.
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Field Apprenticeship
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Police cadets are required to accompany police officers on calls during shifts to attain first-hand views of community involvement and what it takes to make the right decisions for public and officer safety. They observe how police officers handle each situation with problem-solving skills, such as how to deal with a domestic violence call or how to document a missing person report.
Benefits
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In many departments, police cadets earn a minimum wage of $14.00 per hour and college students receive tuition assistance that do not have to be repaid if they choose a law enforcement career and have served as sworn officers for at least two years. Part-time hours are flexible, depending on school schedules. During the summer months, work periods are extended to full-time, depending on each cadet's interests and financial needs.
Significance
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Police cadet programs are beneficial to those who seek to learn more about police work, in order to decide about a law enforcement career. By becoming involved in community service cadets learn first-hand about the responsibilities and obligations of officers. Each program develops job skills, builds good character, focuses personable community involvement, and educates about proper police procedures. In some departments graduated cadets are eligible for police internship programs that have more responsibilities, including fingerprinting suspects and writing non-emergency reports over the phone.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit police sign image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
