A police cadet can refer either to a trainee police officer or to a member of a youth organisation in which young people learn about and/or participate in law enforcement and police work.
Many police departments in the United States offer police cadet programmes, as do a number of police forces in the United Kingdom.
United States
Basic entry requirements
The basic entry requirements to become a police cadet include being a U.S. citizen and having no criminal record. In many states, candidates must be over 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. However, these requirements vary from state to state. Some states require their cadets to be enrolled in a bachelor's degree programme, whereas other states may require them to hold a driver's licence.
Training requirements
Police cadet academies provide regular rigorous physical training to their cadets. Therefore, applicants are supposed to clear physical training assessment which includes pushups, sit-ups, and running events. During the programme, cadets are provided further training to improve their physical agility to prepare them for law enforcement careers. They are also trained in firearm safety, crime scene search, and building raids, among other things. Additional training includes honour guard and water rescue training.
Average pay
Many cadet academies pay their cadets. However, some cadet programmes are unpaid and voluntary. In 2022, Glassdoor published $56,539 as the average base pay for police cadets. Academies may pay different salaries to their cadets based on the number of working hours, as well. Some academies also offer additional benefits, such as paid college tuition and medical benefits.
Job prospects
Working as a police cadet highly improves an individual's job prospects. When applying for a law enforcement job position, police cadets are often given preference over other candidates. They are also eligible for promotional opportunities and pay grade advancements if they decide to join law enforcement upon graduation from the cadet academy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the estimated growth for police and sheriff's patrol officers is projected at 7% for 2020-2030, which is as fast as the average for all occupations.
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