Tuesday, February 13, 2018

New PGPD Police Cadet Program for High School Graduates: Earn While You Learn and Get A Head Start On Your Career


Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski and Prince George's Community College announced the launch of a brand new inaugural PGPD Police Cadet program.  The PGPD cadet program is unlike any other in the DC Metro area as it will afford selected applicants the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in police work while they earn college credits AND earn a salary with benefits.   The cadets will be granted administrative leave to take classes together as a group at Prince George’s Community College.  Once they complete the 2 ½ year program, cadets must apply to become Prince George’s County Police officers.  The end result will be a more experienced and mature young police officer ready to serve and protect the residents of Prince George’s County.  

“At the end of this process we take a young person from our community who is interested in becoming a police officer, we give them gainful employment, and the invaluable opportunity to learn about law enforcement, what it really is - as opposed to what is portrayed on television and the movies - which are two totally different things and they start earning those college credits towards their associate degree before entering the police academy when they turn 21,” explained Chief Stawinski.

Major Terence Sheppard, Commander of the PGPD Training academy said, "There are other cadet programs in this region, but our cadet program is unique in the fact that we are tailoring it for individuals to continue their education.  We are going to be doing things that no other cadet programs in our area are able to do.  Our cadets are going to be doing things like crime scene searches, collecting evidence, and taking fingerprints.  The possibilities are endless.  Our Chief said he didn’t want our cadets sitting around with nothing to do. We want to give them the opportunity to do as much as they possibly can during this 2 ½ year period before they actually enter the academy.”

PGPD cadets will earn about half the credits necessary for their associate degree, and then, once in the police academy, they'll earn the remaining half and graduate from the training academy as Prince George's County Police officers with associate degrees in criminal justice.

“We are so thankful to our thoughtful and tremendous partner in the Prince George's Community College. This is an invaluable collaboration and critical investment in our own community,” said Chief Stawinski.  

"Prince George's Community College is honored to partner with the Prince George's County Police Department to offer the Police Cadet Program," said Dr. Yvette Snowden, associate Vice President for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, Prince George's Community College.   "Police officers are critical to our community; and Prince George's Community College will serve as a foundation for providing critical thinking skills required to be a county police officer.  We are thrilled to be a fundamental part in shaping these cadets to be our future leaders in law enforcement."

Anyone between the ages of 17 ½ and 19 ½ with their high school diploma or who expects to graduate high school in May must meet certain criteria in order to be considered for the PGPD cadet program including a 2.5 GPA or better, a background check, physical test, and must possess a valid driver's license.  For the job description, candidate criteria, and application, please click on the link below. The application process is now open.

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