Frequently Asked Questions
What are Public Safety Cadets?Public Safety Cadets (PSC) is a totally new, non-profit organization dedicated to fill an increasing gap in communities across our nation. PSC was founded and managed by active or retired law enforcement officers and public safety industry leaders to prepare young adults for careers and leadership in the public safety profession and create a recruiting pipeline for agency partners.
Public Safety Cadets was established to assist public safety agencies to mentor young adults ages 14 – 20 (until 21st birthday) to serve their communities by providing knowledge, skills and practical experiences through education and training delivered by public safety professionals that build character, physical fitness, and respect for the rule of law and human and civil rights.
Although Public Safety Cadets helps to prepare young adults for careers in the public safety profession, the program’s goal is to foster good citizenship and a greater understanding between youth and the public safety agencies in their communities.
What do you do?Public Safety Cadets (PSC) establishes partnerships with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement and other public safety agencies to form one or more PSC Units. PSC assists these agencies to provide training, practical experience, as well as national programs and events to better prepare young adults to be good citizens and make an informed decision about a career in the public safety sector. The partner agency provides the unique opportunity for Cadets to interact with public safety career professionals in the workplace to gain practical vocational experiences that better prepare them to be good citizens.
How do you get started?The PSC registration process commences with the completion of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the agency/organization head (Chief/Sheriff) or their designee and Public Safety Cadets. The MOU also contains the name of the agency designated POC, Lead Mentor and other designated Mentors as applicable. Once an MOU is signed by the head of the agency/organization the Mentor should
register himself and upload the completed MOU. PSC will respond and once accepted, additional Mentors and Cadets can be registered online. Agencies/Organizations may also contact us at info@PublicSafetyCadets.org to receive additional information on how to start a Public Safety Cadet Unit.
Young adults interested in joining should visit the “
Unit Locator” on our website: www.PublicSafetyCadets.org to determine if there is an established PSC Unit in your community. Units are currently being formed across the country and we expect a wide range of agency/organization support to grow in your community in the very near future.
How much does it cost?
Annual Individual registration is $15 per calendar year for either youth (Cadet) or adult (Mentor) participants. Annual Unit registration is $20. Fees are for a calendar year and not prorated for a partial year.
Each registered participant will also receive a Public Safety Cadets embroidered emblem suitable for use on uniform shirts, jackets and blouses. Additional patches or custom made fully embroidered emblems are available at very reasonable pricing.
All registered participants will be covered by general liability and supplemental accident insurance (
view certificate of insurance in our
Resource Center).
Does Public Safety Cadets provide general liability and supplemental accident insurance?
Yes, $1M Liability Insurance as well as Supplemental Accident Insurance is provided through Clarke and Sampson, Inc. by the Insurers; Cincinnati Specialty & Philadelphia Indemnity Company to all Public Safety Cadets registered participants.
View Certificate of Liability Insurance
As a benefit to partnering with Public Safety Cadets, events that PSC Units may hold with other PSC Units may not incur additional insurance costs to conduct. This is determined by submitting the agenda, duration, location of event and number attending to the PSC national office for review and consultation with the insurance providers in advance. Events organized/sponsored by PSC units that include participants from other youth organizations may be held by obtaining specific insurance that covers the single event for a minimal additional cost to those external participants. PSC’s insurance provider may also offer general liability and supplemental accident insurance for state and regional associations at competitive pricing.
Will there be a Youth Safety Training Program?
Since PSC is a new organization, we recognize that a Youth Safety training program must be created to provide participants with expectations and legal requirements when mentoring youth in accordance with due diligence. PSC is working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to develop content specifically tailored for previously vetted public safety professionals and cohort adult volunteers. PSC will deliver this training via on-line learning tools. It is anticipated that biennial training will provide adult participants with the knowledge to successfully interact and mentor youth in a proper manner without excessive repetition. The participating agency will be required to ensure their adult participants complete this training to provide visibility of timely compliance and emphasize its importance for their Mentors and program volunteers.
How do I obtain Public Safety Cadets emblems and insignia?Public Safety Cadets will provide a
PSC seal embroidered emblem at no cost to each youth and adult at the time of initial registration. In the near future PSC will provide a link to order additional embroidered emblems from stock or design your own patches for use on your uniform; either shoulder, breast or back at very reasonable, competitive pricing. There will also be pins, challenge coins and badges available with custom PSC seal or crest logos for use in your custom design.
Will State and Regional Associations be allowed?Absolutely! Public Safety Cadets recognizes the critical value of engagement and support contributed by
State and Regional Associations that have formed to foster education, communication and mentoring of public safety education to young adults. PSC looks forward to leveraging this valuable experience and outreach to strengthen other PSC units throughout the nation. PSC intends to collaborate with these established associations to construct the certification criteria. PSC does not intend to require a participation fee from these associations. Adult Mentors that are the president or chair of a PSC certified state or regional association will be ex-officio members of the national committee.
Who will comprise the Law Enforcement Sector-National Committee within Public Safety Cadets?The PSC
Law Enforcement Sector-National Committee will be the first committee established within this new nonprofit organization. Other sectors, such as Fire-Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, and Corrections will follow. Distinguished leaders and public safety executives will provide hands-on leadership and strategic planning. Public Safety Cadets looks forward to appointing adult volunteers from successful units in the field to serve on vital sub-committees of the National Committee to provide planning and coordination of national events, training initiatives and program operating procedures and certification.
The National Committee will develop and maintain a
Standard Operating Procedure and Policy Manual, and any related procedure and/or protocol documents, necessary for the safe, effective, and efficient operation of the program. The National Committee will be responsible for developing, planning, and executing activities and events in support of the program. The National Committee Chair, or a designee, will prepare and deliver a written “State of the Career Sector” document at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, and verbally summarize its contents at the meeting. The document will detail programs, activities, and national events conducted during the previous year, outline future objectives, discuss any problems or issues and recommendations for resolution, and any information that should be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors.
When an agency joins PSC are they going to be required to carry the name Cadets in their youth program name? Is there a naming alternative?
Some of our member agencies have an established ‘Cadet’ position and also have Public Safety Cadets. In some cases, they have distinguished them by uniform and emblem differences that have served to adequately differentiate them within the department to avoid confusion. Should your agency desire an alternate naming convention, other than ‘Public Safety Cadet’ or ‘Cadet’ for the PSC youth participant, a request to use another title may be designated in coordination with the Public Safety Cadets national office. Should another naming convention be designated, it is recommended that any distinctive identifying shoulder emblem or breast patch include the Public Safety Cadets seal, crest, or the letters, “PSC” in 1/8” font in the design to reflect affiliation with the Public Safety Cadets program. (Note: Custom embroidered emblems are available through the PSC Store online)
Will Public Safety Cadets require certification of the partnering agency Ride-Along activity and associated requirements for PSC Units in regards to their Standard Operating Procedure’s?
Yes. A key element to a beneficial career preparation program for Public Safety Cadets is to provide qualified Cadets the opportunity to observe and gain practical experience with regard to the methods and techniques used in policing operations and patrol activities. The Ride-Along experience augments classroom training in patrol operations and related police services. The Ride-Along activity also provides Cadets with a greater appreciation for the challenges and benefits of patrol operations and a better understanding of the importance of public safety services within the community.
Each partnering agency/organization that seeks certification for its Ride-Along program must include in its policy and standard operating procedures for Cadets that adhere to the Public Safety Cadets Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) regarding Section 3. RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM.
View SOPIn order to obtain PSC certification of its Ride-Along program, the partnering agency must address comportment to the following requirements of the
PSC SOP:
• Prerequisite Ride-Along Program Training for Mentors and Cadets
• Ride-Along Scope of Activities and Responsibilities
• Ride-Along Log/Records and Limitations on Participation
• Development of Emergency Protocols for Ride-Along
Due to the potential risks involved with Cadets participating in a Ride-Along program, each partnering agency/organization must, at a minimum, adhere to the parameters set forth in the
PSC SOP Section 3.7 RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM CERTIFICATION and MUST include them in their Unit’s written policy and standard operating procedures.
Would PSC be open to hosting a dual event or competition with additional law enforcement agencies?Absolutely, PSC was formed with a primary goal of providing outstanding programs and training opportunities to better prepare young adults to enter the public safety profession. Leveraging partnerships with multiple agencies/organizations only serves to enhance the quality of program and number of young adults to be served. In addition, cost efficiencies for venue acquisition, general liability and supplemental accident insurance may be achieved through affiliation and partnership with Public Safety Cadets. PSC is focused on providing program and support to units at minimal cost by leveraging our participant numbers, national presence, and ability to seek funding from both public, private and philanthropic sources and direct their use to offset your costs.
PSC intends to create events and bring them to your region. Replicating successful events, seminars and competitions through use of government venues around the country to achieve significant cost savings to you and the youth you serve while broadening participation.
View upcoming and past Events on our
Events page.
PSC will hold a National Conference with competitions as soon as our membership grows to sustain an event at that scale.
Does Public Safety Cadets allow partnering agencies/organizations to hold dual memberships with other similar youth career programs such as Learning For Life/Exploring, Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Civil Air Patrol, et al?
Yes, PSC does not discriminate regarding membership in other youth career mentoring programs with a focus on building character, leadership, physical fitness and good citizenship. Participation by other youth organizations in specific PSC events may be allowed with the payment of associated costs to cover their unique general liability and supplemental accident insurance.
