The Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD) strives to create a department which reflects the demographics of our community and is currently hiring Community Engagement Cadets as one of its many career pathway programs. This is an entry-level position for young adults who are interested in earning an associate degree but face barriers to attending college and finding employment. Cadets earn an hourly pay while performing community engagement activities and attending classes we provide at Century College, setting them on a pathway to a career as a Saint Paul Police officer.
Program Benefits:
- Enrollment at Century College with the first nine credits free
- Start at $17.99/hr for up to 25 hours weekly participating in the SPPD's community engagement programs with the ability to work 40 hours in the summer
- Available career counseling and personalized guidance from Century College and Saint Paul Police Officers
- Mentoring from SPPD staff, with the ability to do ride-alongs and shadowing specialty units
- Monthly Training by St Paul Police Staff
Programs Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
- Pass a thorough background check with no felony convictions
- Ability to participate in moderately strenuous physical exercise
- Possess a valid Class D Driver's License
- Must be enrolled in a Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board approved law enforcement or criminal justice program within 120 days of appointment.
Typical Duties (Examples may not include all duties performed)
- Performs public relations work in the community explaining standard police protocols and basic procedures to the public.
- Fosters positive community relationships. Maintains knowledge of the City, and is invested in and respects Saint Paul citizens, neighborhoods, and cultures. Demonstrates empathy, accountability, and transparency to deliver trusted service with respect.
- Listens and provides feedback to the department on community attitudes towards the department.
- Assists in community events and engages in outreach programs, such as Police Athletic League (PAL), Junior Police Academies, Safe Summer Nights, Police Leadership conferences, meetings, and other special events in the City.
- Plans for events such as distributing flyers, making packets, delivering items to events, and assisting with logistical needs.
- Attends and assists with community meetings to learn current issues and concerns.
- Assists with fleet inventory and other basic administrative work.
- Participates in community youth activities, such as soccer, bike riding, and other moderately strenuous physical activities.
Law Enforcement Career Path Academy (LECPA)
The Saint Paul Police Department’s (SPPD) Law Enforcement Career Path Academy (LECPA) is for young adults who are interested in becoming Saint Paul Police Officers but face financial and/or other barriers to attending college and finding employment. SPPD, working in partnership with Century College, have developed a comprehensive program that gives participants an opportunity to earn an associate’s degree with a goal of becoming SPPD Officers. Community Engagement Cadets in the LECPA program will attend college and support the department’s community engagement efforts as they work on a pathway into a successful career in Law Enforcement.
Cadets participate in community-based mentoring, youth programming, community service, and community engagement events to strengthen the ties between police and the community while providing at-risk youth with role models, pro-social activities, and beneficial influences that foster positive youth development. Additionally, the program prepares young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds for careers in law enforcement, helping to make city law-enforcement more representative of the communities served. Twenty-five former cadets graduated from the SPPD academy. The LECPA program has helped diversify the ranks of the SPPD – at the end of 2022, 31% of officers are BIPOC, compared to 23% six years earlier.
For more information, contact SPPD-CommunityEngagement@stpaul.gov or 651-266-5485.
