Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
POLICE CADET PROGRAM
GENERAL ORDER: 04.04 CREATED: October 11, 2019 ISSUE DATE: October 1, 2022
ACTION: Re-numbers general order dated October 18, 2019. EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
04.04 .0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish guidelines and procedures for the Concord
Police Department Police Cadet Program.
04.04 .1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department to utilize the Police Cadet Program
to prepare youth between the ages of 14 and 21 years old for careers in public safety by
providing knowledge, skills and practical experiences through education and training
delivered by police professionals.
04.04 .2 DEFINITIONS
A. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
A sworn officer of any rank designated by the Chief of Police to manage the Police
Cadet Program.
B. PROGRAM MENTOR
A sworn officer of any rank designated by the Chief of Police to assist the Program
Administrator in the functions and activities of the Police Cadet program. One mentor
shall be assigned to each cadet.
C. CADET RECRUIT
A probationary member of the program who is serving their initial nine months of
basic law enforcement cadet training.
D. POLICE CADET
A member of the program between the ages of 14 and 21 who has completed their
cadet recruit training and is considered a regular member in good standing.
04.04 .3 PROGRA M OVERSIGHT
A. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
The Program Administrator shall be responsible for:
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1. Provide guidance to the program to ensure the goals and standards of the
program are achieved;
2. Ensure that all program activities are conducted in a manner that are pursuant
to the Public Safety Cadet Guidelines and department general orders ;
3. Mainta in registry of the Public Safety Cadet charter;
4. Assign responsibilities to mentors;
5. Procure funds and equipment necessary to support program operation.
B. PROGRAM MENTORS
1. Mentors shall be responsible for assisting the Program Administrator in the daily
operations of the program and whose attendance at program functions is
expected, whenever possible.
2. Mentors shall work cooperatively with the Program Administrator to develop
program training and topics of instruction, identify and secure guest speakers,
and facilitate and supervise program activities.
3. Mentors shall maintain open communication wi th the Program Administrator
relative to the management and operation of the Police Cadet Program.
4. Each cadet shall be assigned one mentor. Mentors shall ensure that the cadets
assigned to them are abiding by program requirements, to include school
performance, meeting and activity attendance, personal conduct, etc. It is
expected that mentors maintain a positive and effective relationship with their
assigned cadets.
04.04 .4 PROGRAM MEMBERSHIP
A. MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
1. Prospective cadets shall be between the ages of 14 and 19. The program will not
accept new cadets who are over the age of 19 to ensure that a cadet spends a
minimum of two years in the program before aging out at 21 years of age.
2. Cadets shall either reside within the city limits of Concord or be enrolled in a
school inside Cabarrus County.
B. POLICE CADET APPLICATION PROCESS
1. During an established enrollment period prospective Police Cadets shall complete
and submit an appl ication to the Program Administrator . Applications may be
submitted during non -enrollment periods at the discretion of the Program
Administrator or the Chief of Police.
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2. The Program Administrator and at least one mentor shall interview the
prospectiv e candidate and perform the necessary background investigation.
3. Upon successful completion of a background investigation, meeting any other
program requirements, and assuming a cadet vacancy exists, then a prospective
cadet shall be recommended for inclu sion into the Police Cadet Program as a
Police Cadet Recruit, subject to approval by the Chief of Police.
4. Prospective Police Cadets shall be disqualified from the process if the applicant
has been untruthful on the application or has been charged with a misdemeanor
or felony offense (traffic offenses will be considered on a case by case basis).
C. CADET RECR UIT PROBATION PERIOD
1. Police Cadet R ecruits shall complete a minimum of nine months of basic law
enforcement cadet training as outlined by the Program Administrator .
2. Upon successful completion of the probationary period a Police Cadet R ecruit , in
good standing , shall advance to the rank of Police Cadet.
D. POLICE CADET AND POLICE CADET RECRUIT REQUIREMENTS
To maintain an active status, a Police Cadet or Police Cadet Recruit in good standing
must:
1. Maintain an overall “C” or 2.0 grade point a verage (GPA) in the school that they
are attending while a cadet.
a. Failure to maintain a “C” or 2.0 GPA may result in suspension from program
activities until grades have reached the mandated GPA.
b. If a cadet is showing progress toward a 2.0 GPA, but has not reached that
grade point average, the cadet may have some program privileges returned.
c. If a cadet has