Mission Statement

The West Des Moines Police Department Public Safety Cadet program is dedicated to educating young people about law enforcement through schooling and hands-on trainings that promote self-confidence, leadership development, life skills, and community service.

Qualifications

• Be between 14-20 years of age

• Must be enrolled in high school or a higher learning institution • Applicants must submit to a background check

• Be able to commit to meetings twice per month and participate in quarterly community service projects

What do Cadets do?

Public Safety Cadets meet twice per month on Wednesdays during the months of September thru May at the West Des Moines Police Department. Typically, these meetings begin at 6:00 pm and conclude at 8:00 pm. During the summer, Cadets meet once per month. Meetings will consist of both classroom and hands-on activities in a wide range of public safety topics. Some of those topics include:

• Crime Scene Investigations

• Traffic Stops

• Firearms

• Defensive Tactics

• First Aid / CPR

• Report Writing

• Crime Prevention

• Community Oriented Policing

• VirTra Simulator

• And much much more

In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings, a strong emphasis will be placed on community engagement. All Cadets are required to participate in quarterly community service projects, and they will have many other volunteer opportunities that promote community involvement and other public safety activities. Once a Cadet has completed their six-month probationary period, they will have the unique opportunity to work alongside a police officer in the ride-a-long program. Each Cadet is allotted two hours per month for these ride-a-longs.