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The Indiana University Police Department is currently accepting applicants for the Cadet Officer Program.
Cadet Officer Program
Train to be an officer
The Cadet Officer Program, normally two years in length, allows full-time Indiana University students to work in the criminal justice system and in a law enforcement agency while pursuing their degree.
Completion of the Cadet Officer Program, which includes 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.
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IU Police Academy
The IU Police Academy was developed by the IU Police Department, and is a satellite academy of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Graduates of the IU Police Academy, like graduates of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, receive accreditation as a state-certified law enforcement officer with full police authority.
IU students in the academy receive education and training on more than 90 topics, totaling over 600 hours of instruction with more than 16 examinations. Some of the material covered includes federal and state laws, individual rights, investigation procedures, physical tactics, medical aid, emergency vehicle operations, and numerous others.
1972Year the Cadet Officer Program started
1Number of programs nationally that allow students to work as police officers
1200Number of graduates from the IU Police Academy since it began
Benefits of the Cadet Officer Program
Officers who graduate from the Cadet Officer Program and the university will enter the employment field 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 the IU Police Department, may establish 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.
Eligibility for 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.
Apply to the program
To apply for the Cadet Officer Program, contact the 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.
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 to be briefed in policies of the department and the organization for which they are assigned to work. They can enforce those policies as directed but must call for sworn officers to arrest or detain people.
After successful completion of the cadet year and during the first and second summer sessions, cadets are eligible to attend the IU Police Academy. Upon 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 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 (Public Safety and Institutional Assurance)
Maj. Stephen N. Luce - sluce@indiana.edu
Lt. Christopher Collins - collincc@iu.edu
IU Bloomington
Sgt. Pablo Pesa - pjpesa@iu.edu
IUPUI
Sgt. Amanda Botts - ambotts@iu.edu
IUPUC
Lt. Brian Deubner - bdeubner@iu.edu
IU East
Sgt. Brad Smoker - brsmoker@iue.edu
IU Kokomo
Officer Emily Doran - emjwest@iu.edu
IU Northwest
Officer Sean Liesenfelt - smiliesen@iu.edu
IU Southeast
Sgt. Deven Estes - dejeste@ius.edu
IU South Bend
Officer Jordan Felten - jtfelten@iusb.edu