City of Westerville, OH
Home Police MenuPublic Safety Cadets Unit #6709
Public Safety Cadets (PSC) is a work-site-based program for young men and women who are between the age of 14 and 20. Unit #6709 helps youth to develop responsibility, honesty, and integrity. Cadets participate in hands-on law enforcement and firefighting training scenarios, team-building, and camaraderie activities. The post commanders and mentors are comprised of police officers and firefighters from WPD & WFD. Each officer or firefighter have a combined 20-plus years of experience in law enforcement or firefighting.
Training includes:
- Fingerprinting
- Crime Scene Search
- Arrest and Search Techniques
- Building Searches
- Traffic Stops
- Domestic Violence
- Hostage Negotiations
- Fire Prevention
- Crash Investigations
- Bomb Threat Response
- Defensive Tactics
- Vehicle Extrication
- C.I.T (Crisis Intervention Training)
Cadets have the opportunity to work side by side with police officers and firefighters during community service events, which could allow them to earn volunteer hours towards college credit. Events include, but are not limited to:
- National Night Out
- Youth Public Safety Academy Mentors
- Field of Heroes
- Cops-N-Kids Day
- 4th Fridays
Competition/Conferences
Cadets have the opportunity to participate in an annual state competition against other programs throughout the Ohio region. Cadets also have an opportunity to participate in a National Public Safety Cadet Conference/Competition held at different locations across the country.
Costs to Participate
There is a $20 annual fee paid by the cadet, as well as the necessary paperwork. The fee provides membership in the post and helps to cover the cost of operations and liability insurance.
Meeting Times
Meetings are held on the Mondays of every month from 6:30 - 9:00 PM. Meetings are generally held at the Westerville Division of Police or Westerville Fire Station 111. Occasionally, the meeting location is adjusted to accommodate that week's training activity.
Additional Information
The cadets also take field trips to places such as the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I), Columbus Police Heliport, Columbus Police Training Academy, as well as many other law enforcement and fire-related destinations.