Los Angeles Police Department Cadet Program

An LAPD cadet conducting a handcuffing drill

The Los Angeles Police Department Cadet Program, known informally as the LAPD Cadets, is a cadet program run and sponsored by the Los Angeles Police Department for youth aged 13 to 20.[1] The cadet program is similar in nature to the police explorer programs that are present in many police departments through the Learning for Life program.

Cadets volunteer in several different ways for the police department, including taking part in ride alongs, crowd control, charity assistance, working in stations, and other tasks.[2] The cadet program has posts at all of the LAPD's regional divisions as well as specialized divisions including the Metropolitan Division and the communications division and as of 2014 there were 5,000 cadets.[2]

History

The LAPD program was formerly associated with Learning for Life, but it was withdrawn from the program and reorganized as an independent organization in 2007 after the police commission broke off their partnership with the Boy Scouts of America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 rules policy of barring gays, atheists and agnostics from being troop leaders.[3][4]

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]

Membership

In order to join the cadet program a person must be between the ages of 13 and 21, maintain a 2.0 grade point average, have no serious criminal record, obtain a medical examination, procure a letter of recommendation, and complete the cadet academy.[1]

Training

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.[5] Classes taught at the academy include criminal law, public speaking, conflict resolution, and demonstrations by SWAT, K-9, and Bomb Squad units.[6]

Activities

Cadets attend meetings once a week for additional training and other law enforcement-related activities.[6] 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:[7]

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

Controversy

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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] Following the investigation, the sexual assault victim announced her intention to file a suit against the city for negligence.[11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Eligibility". LAPD Cadets Community Youth Program. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Lopez, Steve (5 July 2014). "LAPD cadet program aims to give teens, communities a brighter future". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ↑ Orlov, Rick (7 December 2009). "Scout-free LAPD Explorer program in the works". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "LAPD's Explorers program to sever ties with Boy Scouts". KPCC. December 22, 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Academy". LAPD Cadets Community Youth Program. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. 1 2 "FAQS". LAPD Cadets Community Youth Program. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Benefits". LAPD Cadets Community Youth Program. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  8. ↑ Nieves, Rosalina (17 June 2017). "LAPD cadets arrested after stealing patrol cars, police say". CNN. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  9. ↑ Queally, James; Mather, Kate (7 December 2017). "LAPD cadet scandal: Joyrides in cruisers went on for weeks before anyone caught on". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  10. ↑ Winton, Richard; Queally, James (26 October 2017). "Sex, joy rides and car chases: Scandal in LAPD youth cadet program sparks alarm and calls for reform". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  11. ↑ Winton, Richard; Queally, James (26 October 2017). "Teenager in LAPD cadet scandal plans to file claim over alleged sex abuse". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
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