A Police Cadet is a non-paid, volunteer position available to qualified persons ages 16 through 20 years.
Much like an apprentice, Cadets learn about law enforcement by observing police procedures.
Sponsored by the Milwaukie Police Department, cadets participate in police training and ride with the sworn police officers.
The applicant must be free of any serious physical or mental defects or impairment that would prevent active participation as a law enforcement Cadet.
Cadets must also follow all General Orders, Protocols and Procedures established by the police department. Any violation of these rules can lead to suspension or termination of the Cadet position. Attendance is also monitored. Cadets are expected to attend all required meetings and training sessions.
A minimum of 16 hours a month is required. (Cadets who have work related or school related commitments are excused from this requirement – a written letter of explanation will be necessary to be excused.)
Members of the Milwaukie Cadet Post will obey all applicable laws, statues, and ordinances.
Members will not drink, take or be in possession of intoxicating liquor or narcotics except as authorized by law. Violations of this rule are subject to termination and/or criminal prosecution. A Milwaukie Police Cadet’s behavior is monitored by advisors during training sessions, special details, as well as when “off duty”.
We expect Milwaukie Police to behave at all times in a manner that reflects positively on the Milwaukie Police Department. For this reason, Cadets must be capable of consistent, reliable, and professional behavior. Milwaukie Cadets are held to a higher standard than ordinary young adults due to the nature of the position.
A thorough background is performed on each Cadet candidate prior to acceptance into the Milwaukie Police Cadet program. Checks on school performance continue as long as the person is in the Cadet program to ensure minimum grade point average requirements are met.
Driving records are also checked periodically. On occasion a parent has been hesitant to allow his or her teenager to become a Cadet fearing it might place the teen in a dangerous situation. When a Cadet rides with police officers on patrol, he or she is limited to observing potentially high-risk incidents from a safe distance.
A Cadet would not be allowed in situations that may place them at an unreasonable risk of injury, such as burglaries in progress, fights, or robberies.
However, parents should be aware there are never absolutes in life. No one can guarantee an accident could not occur. Cadets are passengers in automobiles. Cadets assist at auto accident scenes by directing traffic.
Milwaukie Cadets are trained to recognize and avoid situations that may place them in danger. We encourage parents to attend meetings and training sessions to observe what kind of education and experience Cadets are offered.
Cadets are invited each year to compete against other Cadet and Explorer Posts for trophies and other awards at local, state, regional, and national competitions.
Many persons involved in the Milwaukie Cadet Post say the training they have received helped bolster their confidence, helped them become more goal oriented, and showed them how to work closely with others, promoting personal growth as well as learning leadership skills.
Anyone interested in this program can attend an upcoming Cadet meeting, training session.
Cadet Position application materials can be made available following a training session or can be downloaded from here:
