POLICE CADET (NON-CAREER)

Job Description

DESCRIPTION

The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is seeking motivated college students for the Police Cadet Program as POLICE CADET - NON CAREER. This is a unique opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience with one of the nation’s finest and most diverse police departments while developing the knowledge, skills, and professional experience necessary to pursue a career in law enforcement, public safety, or related public service fields.

The Police Cadet program is designed for students who are interested in a future career with LBPD or another public safety organization. Cadets receive exposure to the daily operations of a professional law enforcement agency, build relationships with police personnel and community members, and develop the communication, leadership, customer service, problem-solving, and organizational skills essential to success in public safety careers.
LBPD Police Cadet Program flyer

POSITION OVERVIEW

Police Cadets perform a variety of non-hazardous administrative, operational, and public-facing support functions throughout the Long Beach Police Department. Cadets may be assigned to areas such as the front desk, detective divisions, or other departmental units where they will interact regularly with members of the public, police personnel, City employees, and community partners.

A significant component of the position is community engagement and customer service. Cadets serve as a professional and approachable point of contact for community members, helping individuals navigate police services, providing accurate information, responding to questions, and creating positive interactions that strengthen public trust and confidence in the Department.

This uniformed position also provides cadets with an opportunity to observe and better understand the responsibilities, expectations, ethics, and professional standards associated with a career in law enforcement. Cadets are expected to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, accountability, respect, cultural awareness, and a commitment to serving a diverse community.

Cadets may be required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. College class schedules will receive priority when scheduling assignments.

Non-Career positions are part-time, at-will positions that are not typically eligible for health/dental/vision benefits; however, they are eligible for sick leave benefits. Non-career employees are limited to 1600 work hours per service year and are not guaranteed a minimum number of work hours or duration of employment.

This is a uniformed assignment, and scheduling may include evenings, weekends, and holidays based on Department needs and operational requirements.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Serve as a professional, welcoming, and service-oriented representative of the Long Beach Police Department when interacting with community members.
• Provide information and assistance to members of the public by telephone, in person, and through other appropriate communication channels.
• Develop positive relationships with community members and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of trust, respect, and professionalism in public safety.
• Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and populations.
• Obtain and accurately document information from victims, witnesses, and members of the public.
• Prepare accurate, complete, and professional police reports and other written documentation.
• Assist with front-desk operations, customer service, administrative functions, and departmental activities.
• Assist detective and other departmental divisions with clerical and administrative assignments.
• Answer telephone lines, respond to inquiries, and appropriately direct members of the public to available resources.
• Utilize internal computer systems and law enforcement databases to enter, retrieve, and verify information as authorized.
• Process and file documents, paperwork, and records while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.
• Accept bail and provide accurate court appearance information as assigned.
• Assist with building security and other non-hazardous public safety support functions.
• Work collaboratively with sworn and civilian personnel, supervisors, managers, City employees, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate leadership by taking initiative, accepting responsibility, supporting team members, and serving as a positive representative of the Department.
• Practice effective conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques when interacting with members of the public.
• Learn about police department operations, public safety practices, professional standards, and potential career pathways in law enforcement.
• Participate in assignments and experiences that promote professional development and career awareness.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

• Education equivalent to graduation from high school
• Current enrollment in an accredited college with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or Proof of acceptance into an accredited college or university for the upcoming academic year.
• Must be at least 18 years of age prior to start of employment
• Ability and willingness to work assigned shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, with consideration given to college class schedules.
• Demonstrated interest in law enforcement, public safety, criminal justice, public administration, community service, or a related field is highly desirable.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL DEMONSTRATE:

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to community service, professional development, and public safety and will possess the ability to:

• Provide exceptional customer service and create positive experiences for members of the public.
• Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and communities.
• Establish rapport and build trust through active listening, empathy, professionalism, and effective interpersonal communication.
• Represent the Long Beach Police Department with professionalism, integrity, maturity, and respect.
• Demonstrate leadership potential, personal accountability, initiative, dependability, and a willingness to take responsibility.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a diverse, multidisciplinary team.
• Exercise tact, sound judgment, discretion, and cultural awareness in challenging or sensitive situations.
• De-escalate conflict and approach problems with a calm, respectful, and solution-oriented mindset.
• Prioritize multiple assignments and responsibilities while maintaining accuracy and meeting established deadlines.
• Adapt effectively to a dynamic, fast-paced, and public-facing work environment.
• Demonstrate strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate, concise, and professional documentation.
• Demonstrate strong verbal communication skills and the ability to convey information clearly to community members, coworkers, supervisors, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive law enforcement information.
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with personnel at all levels of the Department and City.
• Demonstrate an eagerness to learn about law enforcement, public safety operations, police-community relations, and career opportunities within the field.
• Show a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and development of skills necessary for a successful public safety career.
• Learn and effectively utilize new technology, software applications, and department systems.
• Demonstrate proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.

Bilingual and multilingual communication skills, particularly in Khmer, Spanish, Tagalog, and/or Vietnamese, are highly desirable.

Career Development & Professional Growth

The Police Cadet position is intended to provide students with more than administrative work experience. It offers an opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement and public safety while developing the professional competencies expected of future police and public safety professionals.

Through daily interaction with police personnel and the Long Beach community, Cadets will have opportunities to strengthen their communication and customer service skills, develop leadership capabilities, gain a better understanding of police department operations, and build professional relationships within the public safety environment.

Cadets are encouraged to approach the position as a career-development opportunity, demonstrating initiative, professionalism, curiosity, and a commitment to learning. The program provides the Department with an opportunity to identify and develop high-potential individuals who may be interested in pursuing future career opportunities with the Long Beach Police Department.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. To be considered, please submit an online application, including a resume, cover letter, transcripts, and proof of enrollment from a college or university in PDF format. Applications that fail to include all necessary documents will be considered incomplete and will not be taken into consideration.

Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. The selected candidate may be required to go through a background check and a physical examination prior to appointment. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact 562-570-7008 .

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We value diversity in our workforce and are committed to creating a workplace where every employee is respected and included. We strive to reflect the diversity of our community at all levels of the organization, promote fair and equitable employment practices, advance equity, and inclusion through our work with staff and community partners, and promote transparency by publishing workforce demographic information, including diversity and pay data by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act .

The City of Long Beach is committed to maintaining fairness and transparency in our hiring practices. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all applicants and ensuring that every applicant is evaluated based on their qualifications and merit. If you believe that you have been unjustly disqualified based on minimum qualifications for an unclassified job opportunity, you have the right to appeal the decision. Find out more about the Unclassified Applicant Appeal Process by visiting Applicant Appeal Process (longbeach.gov) .

The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-7008.

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Closing Date/Time: 10/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific