(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that she will propose a $3.4 million investment for Fiscal Year 2021 to expand the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Cadet Corp Program. With this funding, MPD would double the number of current cadets, hiring approximately 100 more cadets to the program, which gives DC high school graduates a scholarship to the University of the District of Columbia and a part-time job while they attain 60 college credits in order to enter the police academy.
“With this investment, we are increasing opportunities for DC residents and ensuring that future MPD members are from the District and have a greater understanding of the communities and people that they serve and protect,” said Mayor Bowser. “We already have the most dedicated and talented police force in the country, and by recruiting and retaining more talent from within the community, we are going to continue building a safer, stronger DC.”
The Mayor and Chief Peter Newsham joined Police Cadets for a conversation at the District of Columbia Community College to announce the proposed investment and discuss the importance of expanding the Cadet Corp Program. The investment would cover the costs to hire, train, pay, and provide uniforms and equipment for Cadets.
“MPD has always prioritized hiring officers from within the city, because these officers have a greater understanding of the communities and people they serve,” stated DC Police Chief Newsham. “Investing in our Cadet Corp program ensures that we creating an environment that promotes the best people to come, to stay, to learn, and grow here at MPD.”
The Police Cadet Corps is designed to prepare candidates for entrance into the Metropolitan Police Officer Recruit Program and ensures that a steady stream of District of Columbia youth are actively recruited as future police officers. Cadets are 17-24 year-old uniformed civilian employees, working part time for MPD while attending the University of the District of Columbia. The Department funds up to 60 college credits to enable District residents with a high school degree from a District high school or a GED to meet the college education requirement.
Cadets must earn up to sixty (60) college credits at the University of the District of Columbia Community College to satisfy MPD's police recruit entrance requirement. The program helps cadets develop the leadership and analytical thinking skills required to meet the challenges of their complex roles as problem-solvers, service providers, and professionals in the criminal justice system of the 21st century. Recruits will spend part of their time working specific job assignments to support the day-to-day operations of the MPD, perform rotating assignments among the districts and divisions, and gain familiarization with the daily operations of the Department.
For more information on the Cadet Corps program, residents can visit https://joinmpd.dc.gov/career-program-page/cadet-corps or call (202) 727-8098.