Los Angeles Police Department Cadet Program

The LAPD program was formerly associated with Learning for Life, but it was withdrawn from the program and reorganized as an independent organization in 2007 after the police commission broke off their partnership with the Boy Scouts of America over their policy of barring gays, atheists and agnostics from being troop leaders.[4][5]

The newer cadet program shifted focus from the old explorer program, which focused primarily on preparing cadets for a career in law enforcement, to a broader program that is designed to give cadets a solid foundation in life and to help them prepare for whatever careers they choose by offering things like tutoring and college scholarships to different cadets in need of assistance.[2] The cadets complete courses not only on law enforcement but also on citizenship, leadership, financial literacy and other different skill sets.[2]

In order to join the cadet program a person must be between the ages of 13 and 17, maintain a 2.0 grade point average, have no serious criminal record, obtain a medical examination, and complete the cadet academy.[1]

Each Cadet Post is run by two Youth Services Officers, who are sworn police officers. At each post, a staff of senior cadets mentors and teaches the more junior cadets. While cadets have, and can promote to, different ranks, cadet rank is designed to provide mentorship and leadership, and cannot issue orders or impose punishment.[6][7]

Ranks	Insignia	Notes
Recruit Cadet	No Insignia	While in the Cadet Academy
Cadet I	No insignia	Immediately following graduation from the Cadet Academy
Cadet II	No insignia	Automatic promotion to Cadet II following completion of 3 months' probation
Staff Ranks †
Cadet III		At least six months as a Cadet-II to be eligible.
Cadet Sergeant		At least one year as a Cadet-II and/or Cadet-III to be eligible.
Cadet Lieutenant		At least one year as a Cadet-III and/or Cadet Sergeant to be eligible.
Cadet Captain		At least six months in the ranks of Cadet Sergeant and/or Cadet Lieutenant
Cadet Commander		Silver shoulder cord worn on the left shoulder; At least six months as a Cadet Lieutenant and/or Cadet Captain
Cadet Chief		Gold shoulder cord worn on the left shoulder; At least six months as a Cadet Captain or Cadet Commander
† All ranks from Cadet-III to Cadet Chief require both a written exam and an oral interview.
Rank insignia for Cadet-III and Cadet Sergeant is worn on both sleeves as embroidered chevrons. Rank insignia for Cadet Lieutenant to Cadet Chief is worn as metal, pin-on insignia on the collar.

Recruits must attend the Cadet Leadership Academy, which lasts for fifteen consecutive Saturdays. Recruits learn basic law enforcement skills through classroom learning, physical training, and drill.[8] Classes taught at the academy include criminal law, public speaking, conflict resolution, and demonstrations by SWAT, K-9, and Bomb Squad units.[9]

Cadets attend meetings once a week for additional training and other law enforcement-related activities.[9] In addition to meeting weekly, cadets volunteer to assist law enforcement officers in coordinating and securing special activities, or take part in additional training opportunities, including:[10]

An LAPD officer signs up cadets wanting to compete in a dance contest during the annual Los Angeles Greek Fest in 2013.

• March of Dimes
• Division Picnics/Holiday Parties
• National Night Out
• SWAT Fitness Challenge
• The Academy Awards
• Hollywood Christmas Parade
• LA Marathon
• Dodgers Nights
• Division Vice Operations
• Working at Division front desks
• Officer oriented training for bike patrol

In June 2017, three cadets were arrested after they led police in a car chase using stolen department vehicles, and crashed two of them during the pursuit.[11] Investigators later discovered a ring of cadets had been stealing and using department vehicles and other equipment for at least two months prior to their discovery; ultimately, seven cadets were arrested.[12] During the investigation into the thefts, investigators discovered evidence of a sexual relationship between a fifteen year old female cadet, who was one of the cadets arrested for the theft of department property, and a thirty-one year old police officer, who was subsequently arrested and charged with sexual assault.[13] Following the investigation, the sexual assault victim announced her intention to file a suit against the city for negligence.[14]

• California Cadet Corps

• LAPD Cadets Official Website