Police Cadet

The Police Cadet is a non‑sworn position that serves as a support role to the basic operations of the police department. The job duties will familiarize the Police Cadet with the general field of law enforcement and may include directing traffic, parking enforcement, report writing and administrative duties, as well as support for the department’s community policing efforts.

• Assists in office functions such as typing and maintaining files.
• Assists in receiving, storing and cataloging lost and stolen property.
• Takes police reports from the public both by telephone and in person in accordance with departmental policies.
• Provides relief in the communication center by answering the telephones and taking complaints from the public.
• Performs duties related to the promotion of the department’s community relations, conducting station tours, representing the department at meetings, and speaking to organizations on the subject of community relations.
• Assists in the field with traffic control and answering calls for service which do not require the presence of a sworn police officer.
• Does related work as required.

• Graduation from high school or GED.
• Age 18 at the time of application.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the State of Iowa or another state with the ability to obtain an Iowa operator’s license.
• You must be selected as a Des Moines Police Officer in one of the first two recruitments following your eligibility to apply for Police Officer after your appointment to Police Cadet. If you fail any phase of the second recruitment, which includes not being hired as a Police Officer, you will be terminated from the position of Police Cadet no later than two weeks following disqualification from the process.
• Police Cadet is required to take and pass the Police Officer Selection Test (POST) as part of the application process. The POST exam is scheduled for August 10, 2026.
• Police Cadet is intended to be a career development opportunity for qualified applicants seeking a law enforcement career.