The Ventura Police Department employs part-time police cadets who play a vital role in providing quality police services to our community. Cadets typically work between 15 and 20 hours per week.

Our Police Cadets perform a wide variety of duties to assist the Ventura Police Department in accomplishing daily supportive tasks that provide exposure to the full spectrum of police operations. 

Though not all of our cadets want a long-term career in law enforcement, many of them do and the cadet program allows for networking and an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the department. Many former cadets now serve as Ventura police officers, dispatchers, and other professional staff.

Assignments can include:

• Traffic Enforcement: prepares a variety of written documents including forms, citations, and traffic accident, stored vehicle, and lost/found property reports. Assists police personnel at DUI checkpoints and in directing traffic in emergency situations and at special events.
• Parking Enforcement: patrols an assigned route, identifying vehicles in violation of parking and abandoned vehicle codes. Issues citations or notices to move vehicles. Removes vehicles through storage or impounding as appropriate. Reports traffic accidents, abandoned vehicles, traffic hazards, and criminal activity encountered in the course of work.
• Fleet: performs minor maintenance and repair of police vehicles. Stocks and maintains emergency equipment and materials in vehicles. Transports police service vehicles to the city garage for maintenance.
• Front Desk: assists in answering business lines during operating hours and in monitoring city cameras.
• Records: assists Records personnel with filing, logging, and processing of police records and reports. Assists in logging and maintaining found and stolen property.
• Special Events: assists with special events upon request. Special events can include the Ventura County Fair, local parades and marathons, and various department community outreach events.