Frequently Asked Questions

Public Safety Cadets (PSC) is a non-profit organization founded and managed by active or retired law enforcement officers and public safety industry leaders to prepare young adults for careers in the public safety profession while creating a recruiting pipeline for public safety organizations.
 
PSC was established to assist public safety agencies in mentoring young adults ages 14– 20 to serve their communities. By providing knowledge, skills and practical experiences through education and training.   Our program builds character, encourages physical fitness, fosters good citizenship and instills a respect for the rule of law and human and civil rights, all while providing the unique opportunity for Cadets to interact with public safety career professionals in the workplace to gain practical experiences.

Individuals cannot join Public Safety Cadets.  Public Safety Cadets (PSC) partners with local, county, state, and federal public safety agencies to develop PSC Units, which are based within those agencies.  These partnerships are established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PSC and your agency.  Upon completion of the MOU, you will receive instructions explaining how to register adult Mentors and Cadets.  The registration process is a 100% online process.

Individuals looking to join a PSC unit should contact their local law enforcement or fire agency.

Annual Unit registration is $25, while annual Individual registration for Mentors and Cadets is $20 per calendar year.  Registration costs are not pro-rated.

Public Safety Cadets provides $1,000,000.00 in Liability Insurance coverage, as well as Supplemental Accident Insurance to all registered participants.  Insurance is provided by Cincinnati Specialty & Philadelphia Indemnity Companies through Clarke and Sampson, Inc. A copy of PSC’s Certificate of Insurance is available on our website.

PSC requires all Mentors go through Youth Safety and Protection Training annually.  Registered Mentors will access this training through their Mentor Login and complete the training online.  This annual training provides adult participants with the knowledge to successfully interact and mentor youth in a proper manner without excessive repetition.

PSC is happy to provide quality images of our Seal and Crest for you to use in customizing your patches and uniforms.  PSC has many PSC logo items available for purchase, including T-shirts, polos and hats.  We can also work with you to design custom patches and clothing at reduced prices through our vendors. Uniform ribbons and collar brass are also available for purchase.  Contact us at [email protected] for mor information.

Some of our member agencies had an established paid ‘Cadet’ position when they joined PSC.  Some agencies distinguished the two programs by uniform and emblem differences which differentiate them within the department to avoid confusion.  Other agencies specified that their PSC program participant was a ‘Public Safety Cadet’ or identified their PSC program as ‘Cadet Corps’ or “Youth Cadet”. Any variation should be done in coordination with the Public Safety Cadets national office.

The Ride-Along is an important part of the PSC experience and provides qualified Cadets the opportunity to observe and gain practical experience in the methods and techniques used in public safety operations and activities. It also provides Cadets with a greater appreciation for the challenges and benefits of public safety operations and a better understanding of the importance of public safety services within the community.

Each partnering agency/organization is expected to adhere to Ride-Along program guidelines outlined in PSC Standard Operating Procedures.

To get more information on starting your own PSC unit, email us at [email protected] or call us (703) 717-8168.  We look forward to working with you to serve the youth of your community.