IUPUC students are working in law enforcement while pursuing college degrees as part of the university’s cadet program.
Established in the fall of 2015 by the Indiana University Police Department, the program employs six to eight cadets each year who provide security and other services at the Columbus campus, which has about 4,000 students.
Cadets spend their first year working security and receive certification on the state and national law enforcement computer system after they have completed training, IUPUC officials said.
After they complete the first year of the program, they attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academy in Bloomington for 12 weeks during summer break.
The training is required for all Indiana law enforcement officers, with cadets receiving the same certification. Cadets who graduate from the academy are sworn in and hired as part-time campus police officers.
“The cadet program has helped shape my future more than I will ever know, so it means the world to me,” said Dylan Prather, a student in the IUPUC cadet program. “This program is much more than a paycheck. It is about serving something greater than myself and giving back to the campus community. Through this opportunity, I am able to connect with students, faculty, and staff members on a personal level.”
Two cadets have graduated from the IU Police Academy, while the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department has hired a part-time officer through the program. In addition, three cadets have transferred from Ivy Tech Community College to IUPUC to attend the IU Police Academy.
“Not only is security being provided to the campus population, but also the cadet program has proven to be a valuable resource for the students interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement,” said Capt. Bryant Lucas, IUPUC’s public safety director.
For more information on the program and how to apply, call Lucas at 812-348-7388 or visit police.iupui.edu/courses/cadet-officer-program.asp.
