Public Safety Cadet is a hands-on program that is open to all young men and women who are over the age of 13 and have completed 8th grade (through 20 years old), who are interested in a career in law enforcement or a related field within criminal justice. Meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at the Cary Police Department located at 120 Wilkinson Ave. 

The program provides a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition, and other activities. Additionally, the program promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship, and patriotism.

Public Safety Cadet Offers The Following Benefits:  

* Gain exposure to various criminal justice careers and have positive interactions with law enforcement professionals.

* Obtain “hands-on” experience and awareness of the criminal justice system, thereby helping Explorers to make an informed decision on a career in law enforcement or a related field.

* Receive comprehensive career-focused training that in many cases qualifies for academic credit (i.e. career education credit).

* Preparation for career-related college degree programs and other advanced education opportunities

* Benefit from interpersonal growth through self-discipline, teamwork, challenging experiences, and high standards of performance and personal conduct.

* Enhanced character development and improved physical and mental fitness.

* Learn responsibility to self and others through leadership opportunities.

* Community service and networking activities by assisting the sponsoring agency in a supplementary law enforcement and liaison capacity.

Cadet's duties will vary from program to program, but for the most part, explorers perform a wide variety of community service and volunteer duties within the department. Many provide extra help for large gatherings such as fairs and festivals, as well as in traffic control details. They also assist in clerical duties related to police records and report writing. Explorers may participate in dispatching centers and patrol ride-a-longs.

Cary's Public Safety Cadet program originally began in 1977  as the Police Explorer's Program and was very active within the Cary community. The program was re-instituted after a thirty (30) plus year hiatus in the Spring of 2023 with sixteen (16) participants and eight (8) Cary police officers serving as Cadet Advisors.

For more information about the Public Safety Cadet Program, contact Sergeant Chris Bernhardt or Sergeant Bradley Evans at (919) 653-7130.