The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Youth Cadet Program is a volunteer organization through which young people, 16-21 years of age, are trained in many aspects of law enforcement. The program is chartered as law enforcement Explorer Post with the Boy Scouts of America. The goals of Explorer Post # 601 are to train young men and women for a future in law enforcement and to provide quality candidates for future community service officers, deputy sheriff’s, police officers, correctional officers, probation or parole officers and other related law enforcement positions.
A structured program with the explorers has been established to promote responsibility. Expectations instilled in Youth Cadet members are high morals, an acceptable grade point average of 2.0 or higher, sound judgment, and active community involvement.
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Youth Cadets donated over 500 hours of service in the first half of 2009. The program provides non-hazardous law enforcement experience to all youth cadets who have demonstrated sufficient interest by active participation in the Post activities. These activities include, but are not limited to, traffic control, Ride-Along program, and assistance to the Sheriff’s Office in auxiliary services (act as decoys in alcohol and tobacco stings, assist with non hazardous law enforcement functions at the county fairgrounds, assist with avoid the 13 campaign, assist with special patrol assignments with reserve deputies and any other function that seems appropriate to better prepare them for a future in law enforcement).
Youth Cadets meet weekly to discuss policies, procedures, rules, and law enforcement related topics. Youth Cadets wear uniforms and are expected to meet departmental standards for grooming.
If you would like to join or obtain further information concerning the Youth Cadet Program, please contact:
Sergeant Cardenas or Frances Gallegos at (408) 808-4570