Meetings

The first Monday of every month is a general meeting in which Cadets are encouraged to sign up for ride-alongs and other activities.

The second meeting, which takes place on the third Monday of every month, is the training meeting. Every training meeting, Cadets participate in a different class focusing on the skills needed as a Cadet and/or future officer. Such classes include, but are not limited to: pedestrian and vehicle hot stops, vehicle pursuits, gang profiling, equal opportunity employment, officer survival, traffic stops, citations, /fire/paramedic relations, radio procedures, K-9 and interview techniques.

Meetings are held at San Diego Police Department Headquarters, 1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101.

Activities

Ride-Alongs: Cadets ride along with police officers for an entire shift, participating in radio communications, field interviews, ticket writing, map book reading, and much more.

Traffic Control: Cadets are often in charge of controlling intersections during parades, fairs, and other special events.

Vice: Cadets, being underage, assist detectives in the vice unit in controlling the illegal sales of alcohol in two major ways.

1. Shoulder Tap Operations: Cadets request another person to buy them alcohol after informing him/her that they are under 21.
2. Minor Decoy Operations: Cadets walk into an alcohol-selling store under the supervision of detectives and try to buy alcohol for themselves.

Security: To work security, Cadets become the eyes and ears of the police officers. Since officers cannot be everywhere at once, Cadets fill in by looking for any suspicious or illegal activity, and then immediately report it on the radio. Some security events the Cadets have been invited to work include the La Jolla Festival of the Arts, the Rock and Roll Marathon, Mardi Gras, Street Scene, and the Pacific Beach Block Party.

Community Events: Cadets are often requested for parades, festivals, and fairs to show their support of law enforcement.