City of Midland, TX... Police Department

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MPD Cadet Program
In 1976 the Midland Police Department began a Cadet program that would allow high school graduates, who indicated an interest in Law Enforcement, to experience some law enforcement activity prior to applying for a position as a police officer. Cadets were required to be enrolled in a college program with a Criminal Justice major or similar field. There was but one cadet when the program started, but today there are six positions in the program.

In order to draw the best applicants, the department agreed to fund the cadet’s tuition and books at Midland College, a local community college with good academic credentials. The cadets are selected from throughout the area, and are chosen by highest grade point average as well as by their presentation during the interview. Candidates are also required to pass a physical assessment.

In return, the cadets are required to finish 12 credit hours per semester while maintaining a “C” average. The cadets are allowed to work a maximum of 30 hours per week in various job assignments throughout the department depending on their grades. During the summer months, they are allowed a maximum of 40 hours per week.

The job assignments are rotated on a set basis at the beginning of each semester. The assignments include: Training/Firing Range, Identification, Crime Prevention, Telephone Report Unit, Crime Analysis, Planning & Research, Detective Division, Property/Evidence and Traffic/Airport duties. At present, the wage is $8.00 per hour.

Since its inception, the department has hired many Midland police officers who started their careers as police cadets. To date, one of our Deputy Chiefs, one Lieutenant and three of our sergeants began their careers as police cadets. Several of the former cadets, while not completing the program here in Midland, did go on to become law enforcement officers elsewhere.

In the beginning, the cadets were allowed to graduate from Midland College and then apply for a position with the MPD upon reaching age 21. At present, the cadets are allowed to stay in the program and continue their education at a 4-year institution until age 21. At that point they can apply for a position as police officer and although they are no longer in the Cadet program, the City of Midland picks up the tuition upon presentation of passing grades at the end of each semester. In this manner, a cadet can obtain a Bachelor’s Degree at minimum expense to himself or his family. Once a cadet reaches the age of 21 and has accumulated 60 hours of college, they must apply for a position as a police officer at the Midland Police Department or withdraw from the program.

The program is very successful, and is well received by the graduating high school students as witnessed by the huge number of applications for the program each year.

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