Carson City sheriff’s youth cadets engaged with the community Sunday morning while serving up a hearty pancake breakfast as part of a fundraiser for the program held inside the Ormsby Room of the Carson City Sheriff’s Office.
The cadet program is for youth 14 to 21 and is designed to give students the opportunity to be with the sheriff’s office, where they learn life skills, and leadership skills that can guide them along in their youth, said Carson City Sheriff’s Office Cadet Advisor Deputy Jim LaChew.
The youth cadets train with CCSO deputies and gain real-world, hands-on experience. They also participate in community events and annual competitions. Sunday’s breakfast served 61 people and raised $1,561, including a “special thanks” for a $500 donation from New Beginnings, Gold Country, said LaChew.
“At 20 the cadet program begins preparing them for going full-time in law enforcement. When they age out at 21, they should be ready to go for actual sworn,” LaChew said.
As of this year there are between 15 to 17 cadets on the roster, up from previous years where there’s been an average of 10 cadets, LaChew said. The program has seen interest grow as the cadet program has been promoting and engaging itself more.
“We are also seeing a shift in law enforcement appeal to the young folks. We are getting more and more kids that are interested in going into some sort of public service. This is a good way of entering them,” he said.
Cadets participate in weekly training, community events, ride-alongs, and competitions to learn about law enforcement and develop leadership skills.
“It’s one of the oldest programs that we have, going well back into the 60s,” said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong. “It inspires these kids, it inspires us and is a wonderful opportunity to work with the youth our town who have leadership ambitions down the road.”
Students interested can contact the program at cadets@carson.org or JLachew@carson.org for more information.
