Police Cadet

Cadet Program

The Cadet Program is designed to temporarily employ young adults seeking employment as police officers with the Show Low Police Department. Cadets are non-sworn Agency employees who are full or part-time. No rank structure exists within the Cadet Program, and all cadets are at-will employees.

Cadets require no training prior to commencing employment with the Agency; however, cadets experience on-the-job training to learn the duties of the specific assignments cadets receive throughout the Agency.

The Cadet Program is under the direct supervision of the Operations Commander, or his / her designee. Cadets are periodically evaluated for efficiency and job performance. Successful cadets are appointed as Police Recruits to the first Academy class for which they become eligible.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED :

Works under the general supervision of an assigned Police Sergeant

SUPERVISION EXERCISED :

No supervision exercised.

Cadets are not sworn officers and are not given the power or authority to make arrests or take any law enforcement action whatsoever. Cadets shall not exercise any arrest or enforcement authority. Cadets shall not intentionally engage in activities that may require the powers given to sworn officers, such as the use of force or powers of arrest. This does not prohibit their ability to come to the aid of a citizen or another officer in need of assistance as would any other citizen or at the direction of a lawful order by a sworn officer.

Cadets will assist members of the Agency in accomplishing work objectives which may include :

• Administrative duties;
• Performing duties of station clerk;
• Assisting Traffic Operations with various duties such as :
• Conducting safety seat inspections;
• Crime prevention and Traffic Operations public education programs;
• Staffing SLPD informational displays or booths;
• Assisting with crowd control and traffic control at public events such as parades, fairs, fireworks displays, sporting events;
• Assisting with crowd control and traffic control at crime scenes, fires, traffic light outages, and other unusual occurrences;
• Any other related duties authorized by the Operations Commander, and within the cadet's scope of authority.
• Cadets may also be utilized as a resource for support services during emergencies and large scale special events in accordance with their scope and authority.
• Cadets shall not be assigned to perform law enforcement related tasks which would require a sworn law enforcement officer without the direct supervision of a sworn member of the Agency. They will, from time to time, be assigned to assist sworn members of the Agency with their law enforcement related duties. In such instances, the sworn officer will provide the exact nature of the cadet's duties, and the Cadet will be provided any necessary training to perform his / her assigned task. During this time, the Cadet shall remain under close supervision by the sworn member.
• Cadets shall not be assigned or authorized to carry any weapons, lethal or non-lethal, at any time except during formal training by a certified instructor.
• Cadets shall not take any action that is contrary to, or interferes with, the duties of the members of the Agency.

Cadets provide services to support duties not requiring sworn officer status. Prior to any assignment, the cadet will receive instructions and / or training appropriate to the duties anticipated. Often such training is conducted one-on-one, with an officer / employee assigned to perform such duties.

Cadets must meet the same requirements as those of police officers, excluding the age requirement, and maintain those qualifications while in the Cadet Program. Failure to maintain these standards and qualifications while in the Cadet Program will result in dismissal from the program and the Agency. Cadets must be between the ages of 17 and 19 at the time of application. Applicants may not be appointed until they are 18 years of age, and must be appointed before their twentieth birthday. Cadets may enter the police academy at age 20 provided they will reach their 21st birthday before graduation.

A Cadet who becomes ineligible for the position of police officer during employment as a Cadet will be terminated.

Cadets may operate Agency vehicles only if they are on duty, possess a valid operator's license, and are directed by a supervisor. Vehicles operated by a Cadet may be used for :

Cadets will not use any vehicle to pursue another vehicle or respond to any situation with the emergency equipment activated.

First aid equipment, personal computer, including Microsoft office word, power point, excel and outlook; financial and other software systems; calculator, phone, copy and fax machines.