Police Cadet (Non-Career)

City of Long Beach•Long Beach, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is seeking motivated college students for the Police Cadet Program as POLICE CADET - NON CAREER. This is a unique opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience with one of the nation’s finest and most diverse police departments while developing the knowledge, skills, and professional experience necessary to pursue a career in law enforcement, public safety, or related public service fields. The Police Cadet program is designed for students who are interested in a future career with LBPD or another public safety organization. Cadets receive exposure to the daily operations of a professional law enforcement agency, build relationships with police personnel and community members, and develop the communication, leadership, customer service, problem-solving, and organizational skills essential to success in public safety careers. Police Cadets perform a variety of non-hazardous administrative, operational, and public-facing support functions throughout the Long Beach Police Department. Cadets may be assigned to areas such as the front desk, detective divisions, or other departmental units where they will interact regularly with members of the public, police personnel, City employees, and community partners. A significant component of the position is community engagement and customer service. Cadets serve as a professional and approachable point of contact for community members, helping individuals navigate police services, providing accurate information, responding to questions, and creating positive interactions that strengthen public trust and confidence in the Department. This uniformed position also provides cadets with an opportunity to observe and better understand the responsibilities, expectations, ethics, and professional standards associated with a career in law enforcement. Cadets are expected to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, accountability, respect, cultural awareness, and a commitment to serving a diverse community. Cadets may be required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. College class schedules will receive priority when scheduling assignments. Non-Career positions are part-time, at-will positions that are not typically eligible for health/dental/vision benefits; however, they are eligible for sick leave benefits. Non-career employees are limited to 1600 work hours per service year and are not guaranteed a minimum number of work hours or duration of employment. This is a uniformed assignment, and scheduling may include evenings, weekends, and holidays based on Department needs and operational requirements.

Requirements

Education equivalent to graduation from high school
Current enrollment in an accredited college with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or Proof of acceptance into an accredited college or university for the upcoming academic year.
Must be at least 18 years of age prior to start of employment
Ability and willingness to work assigned shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, with consideration given to college class schedules.
Demonstrated interest in law enforcement, public safety, criminal justice, public administration, community service, or a related field is highly desirable.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual and multilingual communication skills, particularly in Khmer, Spanish, Tagalog, and/or Vietnamese, are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as a professional, welcoming, and service-oriented representative of the Long Beach Police Department when interacting with community members.
Provide information and assistance to members of the public by telephone, in person, and through other appropriate communication channels.
Develop positive relationships with community members and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of trust, respect, and professionalism in public safety.
Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and populations.
Obtain and accurately document information from victims, witnesses, and members of the public.
Prepare accurate, complete, and professional police reports and other written documentation.
Assist with front-desk operations, customer service, administrative functions, and departmental activities.
Assist detective and other departmental divisions with clerical and administrative assignments.
Answer telephone lines, respond to inquiries, and appropriately direct members of the public to available resources.
Utilize internal computer systems and law enforcement databases to enter, retrieve, and verify information as authorized.
Process and file documents, paperwork, and records while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.
Accept bail and provide accurate court appearance information as assigned.
Assist with building security and other non-hazardous public safety support functions.
Work collaboratively with sworn and civilian personnel, supervisors, managers, City employees, and other stakeholders.
Demonstrate leadership by taking initiative, accepting responsibility, supporting team members, and serving as a positive representative of the Department.
Practice effective conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques when interacting with members of the public.
Learn about police department operations, public safety practices, professional standards, and potential career pathways in law enforcement.
Participate in assignments and experiences that promote professional development and career awareness.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.