Police Academy Cadet - Sponsorship (July 2027 Class)

The Pennsylvania State University•University Park, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Penn State University Police and Public Safety is seeking Police Academy Cadet candidates for the University Park campus. Cadets will attend Municipal Police Academy/Act 120 Training at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), beginning in July 2027. Penn State sponsors academy attendance. Upon hire and while enrolled in the academy, cadets are Penn State employees receiving a full-time salary, benefits, and a housing reimbursement. Successful completion of academy training is required for continued employment. After graduation, cadets will be placed as full-time sworn police officers at University Park and will partner with Field Training Officers during their training period to learn campus and department protocols. Campus law enforcement combines traditional policing with a community-policing model and campus-specific responsibilities. These include engagement with students and support for their success, community-oriented policing and outreach, student welfare checks, building-alarm response, security checks at facilities, special-event details, and compliance with university policing and campus-safety requirements. Police officers protect life and property, preserve peace and good order, support positive community engagement, enforce laws and university policies, perform public-safety and investigative work, and carry out related duties. The role includes preventing illegal, unsafe, or undesirable activity and regulatory violations through patrol, education, inspection, and enforcement. Officers enforce national, federal, state, and local laws and university regulations through investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of violators. The position minimally requires a high school diploma or equivalent and up to one year of relevant experience. Candidates must be accepted into the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 Certification Course during the hiring process. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 21 years old on or before the start date. The selection and employment process includes background investigations and checks, a BPAD scenario-based evaluation, psychological evaluation, physical examination, and successful completion of all MPOETC academy requirements and related exams. A valid driver's license and successful motor vehicle records check are required because operating a motor vehicle is part of the job duties. The position is part of the bargaining unit represented by the Penn State University Police Officers Association (PSUPOA). Applicants must list University Park as a preferred campus location to be considered for the academy sponsorship.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Up to one year of relevant experience.
Acceptance into the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 Certification Course during the hiring process.
Successful completion of police academy training and all MPOETC requirements and related exams as a condition of continued employment.
U.S. citizenship.
At least 21 years of age on or before the start date.
Successful University Police and Public Safety background investigation.
Successful BPAD scenario-based evaluation.
Fingerprint background check, including required Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and federal FBI fingerprint criminal background checks.
Successful psychological evaluation and physical examination; must be in good general health as determined by the University examination.
Valid driver's license and successful motor vehicle records check; operating a motor vehicle is part of the job duties.
Successful credit history check.
Ability to provide effective, honest, and credible testimony at court hearings.
Ability to work cooperatively with faculty, staff, students, and outside agencies.
Strong customer-service orientation and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent analytical, judgment, ethical decision-making, and organizational skills.
Ability to work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Respect for the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality, and justice.
Ability to uphold high standards of conduct and abide by laws, regulations, and policies.
Include a cover letter and resume with the application.
List University Park as a preferred campus location in the application questionnaire to be considered for the academy sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Attend Municipal Police Academy/Act 120 Training at Harrisburg Area Community College beginning in July 2027 and successfully complete academy training and related requirements.
After graduation, serve as a full-time sworn police officer at University Park and train with Field Training Officers to learn campus and department protocols.
Protect life and property and preserve peace and good order in the community.
Promote positive community engagement and provide courteous, devoted, ethical service.
Enforce national, federal, state, and local laws, as well as university regulations, policies, and procedures.
Prevent illegal, unsafe, or undesirable activity and regulatory violations through patrol, education, inspection, and enforcement.
Conduct investigations, apprehend violators, and support prosecution.
Perform public-safety and investigative duties and other related work.
Conduct student welfare checks and respond to building alarms.
Perform security checks at facilities, including the airport, Old Main, and buildings at night and during university breaks.
Provide special-event details for concerts, sporting events, and graduation ceremonies.
Participate in community-oriented policing programs and outreach.