Escondido Police Cadet orientation set

To be a cop or not be a cop, if that is the question, the Escondido Police Department provides some answers at 7 p.m. Monday, March 7.

Escondido Police and Explorer Post 2600 holds an orientation night event at that time at EPD’s community room at 1163 N. Centre City Pkwy at that time for Police Cadet applicants. All applicants must be at least 16 years old and under 20 years old. Applicants under age 18 must bring a parent with them to the orientation.

“This is a volunteer position which is dedicated to teaching young men and women about law enforcement and a potential career in that field,” EPD Lt. Ed Varso said. “Escondido Police Cadets participate in community events, provide traffic control, ride along as an observer with police officers, assist police personnel in various aspects of law enforcement, and are mentored by law enforcement professionals.

“Each candidate goes through a training/probation period and also is encouraged to attend the annual San Diego County Law Enforcement Explorer Academy, which is a live-in training experience at UCSD held the second week of August,” Varso said.

Other requirements foe police cadets includes maintaining at least a 2.5 grade point average, being of good moral character with no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions and “willing to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment,” according to Varso.

Applications will only be given out at this meeting, according to Varso. Positions are limited. Upon receipt of an application, each candidate will be interviewed, physically tested, and have a background check conducted. The police department anticipates filling positions from the pool of applicants by early April.