The Cadet Program is designed to provide qualified students an opportunity to work in a professional environment while learning about and training for future employment as a Police Officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The program's intent is to enhance the participating student's knowledge of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and all operating aspects so that, upon graduation or when the participant turns 21, he or she may enter into a career as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer.

Police Cadets are assigned to patrol divisions and work with Community Coordinators or other officers assigned to problem solving activities.  The Cadet's main focus is to build the necessary skills to be a proactive problem solving police officer. 

Among other duties, Cadets will:

• Identify problems within their response area team and define the core problems that allow crime to occur
• Make contacts and build relationships with neighborhood leaders and residents
• Work with other city agencies to eliminate the factors that foster criminal activity
• Organize and assist with community watch events and meetings to further strengthen and increase community involvement and education. 

As Cadets work in the area of problem solving, they will develop the necessary skills that will make them the type of Officer that the CMPD needs to be successful in its mission to prevent the next crime.

Minimum Standards:

• 18 Years Old
• High School Graduate
• Current College or University Student
• Be able to commit 20 hours per week to the program
• Has not committed or been convicted of any felony or serious misdemeanors
• Pass an extensive background investigation including polygraph examination, medical examination and drug screening
• Certain past drug use will result in disqualification

Benefits:

• Paid $9.00/hour
• Flexible Schedule
• May be eligible for tuition reimbursement
• Program may be used toward Internship Credit **
• Cadets may apply to become CMPD Officers when they graduate or turn 21 years of age

What Former and Current Cadets say about the Program:
"It's a job and responsibility. I learned how to work well with others to achieve goals and have formed close friendships with those I work with. Some Cadets have worked with each other for years and look upon each other as friends who can count on one another on or off the clock.  I have built friendships with officers and have benefited from the insight I have gained on law enforcement. This hands-on program allows me to work in the community with officers to achieve different community goals."  Cadet 2004

"The Cadet program allowed me to become familiar with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and to meet officers. I was able to work with officers on a regular basis and see what the job of a CMPD Officer is all about."  Cadet December 1998; CMPD Police Academy Graduate November 2003

How To Get Involved:
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department employs a maximum of 13 Cadets at any one time. For information about how and when to submit an application, please contact Officer Pamela Hollars, 704-432-1609, phollars@cmpd.org or Ofc. Tom Allen, 704-432-0432, tallen1@cmpd.org

**Special Note: Students must seek out information from their individual school on using the Cadet Program as an Internship.  In addition, this program is designed to allow the student to work for a longer period of time than the traditional Internship.  Call for more details. 

A position as Cadet does not guarantee a future position as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Officer.