Police Academy

Indiana University Police Department’s Cadet Officer Program allows full-time IU students to work in the criminal justice system and in a law enforcement agency while pursuing their degree. The program typically takes two years to complete.

The Cadet Officer Program, which includes the participation in the Indiana University Police Academy, provides comprehensive and unique law enforcement training which, coupled with the university’s educational programs, produces a highly qualified, experienced, and educated law enforcement professional.

Officers who graduate from the Cadet Officer Program and the university will enter the job market in the enviable position of having a college degree, academy training, and actual work experience.

Though students are normally enrolled in an academic concentration related to criminal justice, any field of study is acceptable. In addition, some academic departments award credit for participation in the program. Finally, the officer, while working with IU Police Department, may develop career opportunities and contacts with other agencies.

Graduates of the program hold positions with agencies such as: the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshal’s office, DEA, ATF, Indiana State Police, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Columbus PD, Noblesville PD, South Bend PD, Fort Wayne PD, and many other departments in the state of Indiana and the United States.

To apply for the Cadet Officer Program, contact Indiana University Police Department located on your campus or go to Jobs@IU. Applications are accepted September through February. Eligible applicants are interviewed during the spring semester and cadets are selected in April of each year. Those selected will attend cadet training in August, just prior to the start of the fall semester.

Cadet duties

After successfully completing the training, each cadet will return to his or her campus and perform those duties that do not require police authority. All cadets are briefed in policies of the department and the organization where they are assigned to work. They can enforce those policies as directed, but must call for sworn officers to arrest or detain people.

After the first year as a cadet

After successful completion of the cadet year and during the first and second summer sessions, cadets are eligible to attend the IU Police Academy.

After graduation from the IU Police Academy, the cadets are commissioned as officers will full police authority. They then return to their campuses to continue part-time work as a police officer for 12-20 hours a week until they graduate from IU. Hourly wages are paid for formal training and for position duties during the year.