City Council Passes Resolution to Accept Funding Secured by Mayor Barbara Lee to Reinstate Oakland Police Department Cadet Program — Applications Now Open

OAKLAND, CA — Mayor Barbara Lee today announced that the Oakland City Council passed a resolution accepting and appropriating up to $900,000 in grant funding from PG&E and Kaiser Permanente to restore the Oakland Police Department (OPD) Cadet Program, and that applications for the Cadet Program are now officially open through the City of Oakland's job portal.

Oakland residents interested in careers in public safety are encouraged to apply now for this paid opportunity to gain hands-on experience and training with OPD.

The funding, appropriated for fiscal years 2026–2028, will be received by the Oakland Police Foundation, which will then move funds to the City in two separate tranches of $450k in 2026 and $450k in 2027, enabling the Oakland Police Department to reinstate the Cadet Program beginning in May 2026. With applications now open, the City is actively recruiting the next generation of Oakland public safety leaders. The program provides Oakland young adults with paid work experience, professional training, and a direct pathway to careers in public safety.

"Oakland is investing in Oakland. Public safety is strongest when it grows from within the community. Now, we're calling on Oakland's young people to step up and apply now that the application is live," said Mayor Lee. "When our cadets come from Oakland, they understand Oakland. They know our neighborhoods, our families, and our challenges. That's how we build a police department that truly reflects and serves our community."

Partner investments spanning multiple years enables cadets entering the program to rotate across several core law enforcement functions, including but not limited to traffic, background investigations, community policing, youth services, and the identification unit. These assignments provide practical exposure to various aspects of police operations. The grant funding will support cadet salaries, training costs, uniforms, and administrative expenses necessary to operate the program.

A Proven Workforce Pipeline

The Cadet Program has been a cornerstone of recruitment and workforce development at OPD for more than 25 years. Designed for youth and young adults pursuing their education, the program provides hands-on experience in law enforcement while helping participants prepare for careers in public service. Cadets who later enter the police academy graduate at rates exceeding 90 percent, compared to approximately 60 percent for non-cadet recruits, significantly reducing training costs and attrition.

The program also supports the national 30x30 Initiative, which aims to increase the representation of women in law enforcement to 30 percent by 2030.

"I encourage residents to apply for the Cadet program. It's more than a stepping stone; it's a chance to serve your community and build real skills. It opened the door for me," said Officer Isaiah Harris with the Oakland Police Department.

"The Cadet program taught me that team building and leadership skills are about making connections and building trust. From small conversations to showing up and being present, these moments have a huge impact as a police officer now serving and building trust in my community," said Officer Isaac Harris with the Oakland Police Department.

"I want to thank Mayor Barbara Lee and Public Safety Director Reverend Damita Davis Howard for their commitment to investing in our city's future by helping relaunch the Cadet Program," said Interim Oakland Police Chief James Beere. "I also want to thank the City Council for approving this critical grant funding, which supports and strengthens our pipeline of public servants and creates meaningful opportunities for Oakland youth."

Addressing Staffing Needs While Creating Opportunity

The reinstated Cadet Program is part of Mayor Lee's focused effort to bolster recruitment and strengthen the public safety infrastructure in support of the Oakland Police Department.

Cadets assist with administrative and operational tasks across the department, allowing sworn officers to focus on core public safety duties while cadets gain experience and mentorship. Cadets work part-time while completing their education, building leadership skills and developing a pathway into careers such as police officers, police services technicians, dispatchers, and other public safety roles. The program will initially support approximately nine part-time cadet positions, coordinated by a sworn Cadet Program Coordinator within OPD's Training Division. Education and Community Partnerships include Merritt College, Kaiser Permanente and PG&E.

Oakland continues to partner with local educational institutions, including Merritt College, helping Oakland students pursue higher education while gaining professional experience in public safety. In addition to the Cadet Program, Merritt College hosted its Law Enforcement Pre-Academy Course this spring semester with 28 students enrolled. The 8-week program is designed to prepare students for the physical, academic, and professional demands of the Oakland Police Academy. The next Pre-Academy is scheduled for the fall semester.

"As a company rooted in Oakland, we understand the importance of channeling young people's desire to serve their community through hands-on experience and rigorous education that leads to local, long-term careers," said Dante Green, Sr. Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente, East Bay. "Programs like the OPD Cadet Program are critical to building a healthier, safer Oakland."

"At PG&E, we know that strong cities depend on workforce programs where young people have the space to explore the best fit for their skills and interests," said David Leach, Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer, PG&E. "The Cadet Program offers structured training across public safety functions. Long-term investments like this help develop the homegrown workforce needed to keep our communities safe and resilient.

"The Cadet Program is one of the most effective ways to build a police department that reflects and understands the community it serves," said David Downing, Executive Director of the Oakland Police Foundation. "We're proud to support public-private partnerships like this, connecting resources to programming that creates a pathway to living-wage jobs, strengthens recruitment, and builds a long-term pipeline of local leadership committed to public safety."

"Merritt College is proud to partner with Mayor Lee and the Oakland Police Department to relaunch the Cadet program, which has proven to bridge the education gap for our young adults," said Mildred Oliver, Administration of Justice Department Chair, Merritt College. "Community-centered workforce development initiatives such as the Cadet Program serve students by empowering them to achieve their greatest potential while making meaningful connections in the community."

Applicants can learn more about eligibility requirements and apply today through the City of Oakland's official job portal. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as recruitment is now underway.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply to become an Oakland Police Cadet, please visit the City of Oakland's job portal.