Police Academy

Training the next generation of law enforcement

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.

Apply now thru March 3, 2023

jobs.iu.edu

Select "All external candidates" under Staff Positions then search job number 303039.

A summer outdoors group photo of the IU Police Academy cadets, a diverse and optimistic looking group of young people at home in each other's company.
An IUPA cadet conducts an eye tracking test on a classmate as part of DUI training. The eye tracking test is formally called Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), and is performed by waving a finger, pen, or other object to the right or left while assessing the other person's ability to follow the line with their eyes only.
An IU Police Academy cadette practices restraint and cuffing on her instructor during a summer outdoor drill.

IU’s Cadet Officer Program is the only program in the U.S. that allows you to be a full-time student, earn a college degree, and become a certified police officer in the state of Indiana.

1972year the cadet officer program began

1number of programs nationally that allow students to work as police officers

1400number of graduates from the IU Police Academy since it began

Raising the standard for today's law enforcement

Students discuss what being part of the IU Police Academy means to them.

Why join the Cadet Officer Program?

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.

Who is eligible to apply to the Cadet Officer Program?

In order to be eligible to apply for the program and to graduate from the Police Academy you must:

  • Be or become a U.S. citizen prior to graduating from the Police Academy
  • Be at least 21 years old the year you would graduate from the Police Academy
  • Be a full-time student in good academic standing. You must maintain full-time student status and have above a 2.5 G.P.A. while in the program.
  • Have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions
  • Possess a valid automobile operator’s license
  • Pass a battery of physical and psychological tests
  • Pass an intensive background investigation
  • Have no major sensory impediments

How to apply

Two IU Police Academy cadettes in physical exercise uniforms run down Eagleson Avenue in the cool of a summer evening.
An IU Police Academy instructor inspects the form of a cadette practicing self-defense on a police dummy.
A young IUPA cadet leaps to touch the top of a pole during a physical fitness assessment

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.

Questions? Reach out to us.

Campus coordinators can answer your questions about the program and connect students with other students in the program for insights.

General inquiries - pdpa@iu.edu

Indiana University Police Academy (IU Public Safety)
Maj. Stephen N. Luce - sluce@iu.edu
Cpt. Christopher Collins - collincc@iu.edu

IU Bloomington
Sgt. David Wilson - wilsdaro@iu.edu

IUPUI
Sgt. Amanda Botts - ambotts@iu.edu

IUPUC
Officer Claudia Darrow - ccscharr@iu.edu

IU East
Sgt. Brad Smoker - brsmoker@iue.edu

IU Kokomo
Lt. Thomas Remender - tremende@iu.edu

IU Northwest
Lt. Brian Ray - raybr@iu.edu

IU Southeast
Officer Claudia Darrow - ccscharr@iu.edu

IU South Bend
Officer Jordan Felten - jtfelten@iusb.edu