Public Safety Cadets

What are the Public Safety Cadets?

The Public Safety Cadets (PSC) program is geared toward young adults interested in a career in law enforcement or a law enforcement related field, or for anyone looking to build or expand their knowledge of transferable life skills, even if the end goal is not a career in law enforcement.

PSC compete in law enforcement scenario based competitions, engage in fundraising, experience ride-alongs with patrol officers, and volunteer at department-related functions.

PSC mentor and coach young adults in the following areas:

Deeper knowledge of law enforcement
Character development
Leadership and life skills
Importance of community service

Topics a Cadet will experience:

Constitutional Law
Handcuffing
Use of Force
Building Clearing
Traffic Stops
As well as many other disciplines!

CORE Values

Service, Leadership, Integrity, Community Partnership, Continuous Improvement, Human Dignity, Diversity

Madison Police Officers are held to a higher standard of conduct than those in the general public.

The Madison Police Department Cadet program is an extension of MPD and thus, Cadets are held to a higher standard as well.

Who can join PSC?

Young adults ages 14-20 who have completed 8th grade
If in school, must have minimum GPA of 2.0 each semester
No felony convictions

When and where do Cadets meet?

Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 5:45 pm - 9:00 pm. Meetings are held at the Madison Police Department Training Center, 5702 Femrite Dr.

Attendance and volunteerism are mandatory to be a part of the program.

Our Cadet program runs commensurate with the school year. While the Cadet program typically breaks for the summer, there are still get-togethers for fun events.

How do I apply?

We do not have year-round recruiting. We bring new Cadets on each fall, around the start of the school year, with our 1st Nighter Recruiting Event. Contact our PSC recruiter at publicsafetycadets@cityofmadison.com to obtain materials and directions on how to apply. You will need to complete the following:

Application
Resume - not to exceed 1 page
Two letters of recommendation from non-family
Most recent transcript (does not need to be an official copy!)
Must complete two essay questions