Mayor Barbara Lee Launches Major Community-Based Public Safety Investment, Restoring OPD Cadet Program with Nearly $1M in Private Funding Kaiser Permanente and PG&E

OAKLAND, CA — Mayor Barbara Lee today announced the reinstatement of the Oakland Police Department Cadet Program, following months of coalition-building that secured $900,000 in funds from Kaiser Permanente and PG&E. The program, which had gone unfunded since 2023 due to City budget constraints, recruits Oakland residents ages 18 to 21 who are enrolled in college, providing paid work experience and a direct pathway to careers in public safety.

"Public safety is my top priority, and the path to a safer Oakland runs through our own community. This program represents Oakland investing in Oakland. Our cadets know our streets, our schools, our families, and our challenges because they're from Oakland," Mayor Lee said. "That connection matters. We're building a police department that doesn't just serve our community but comes from it - officers who are invested in Oakland's future because it's their future too. That's how we make Oakland safer - from the inside out."

The announcement reflects Mayor Lee's effort to bring together private sector partners and educational institutions around a shared commitment to workforce development and public safety.

A Proven Model

The Cadet Program recruits and develops future law enforcement professionals from Oakland's local communities. The program is for young people aged 18 to 21½ who are enrolled in two or four year colleges. The program provides mentorship, training, and paid part-time work to prepare cadets for the Police Academy and other OPD positions. The cadets work part-time while they complete their college education. Once they graduate they can apply to go through a police academy to jump-start their careers for full-time employment with OPD.

"The Cadet Program gives young people from Oakland the opportunity to build meaningful careers while strengthening the relationship between our department and the community we serve," said Chief James Beere, Oakland Police Department. "These are officers who don't just patrol Oakland – they're from Oakland."

The Cadet Program has a proven 25-year track record of success. Cadets who enter the Police Academy graduate at rates exceeding 90 percent, compared to 60 percent for non-cadet recruits. The program also supports the national 30x30 Initiative, which aims to increase representation of women and underrepresented groups in law enforcement. By focusing on Oakland residents, the program ensures future officers reflect the neighborhoods they serve.

Among the program's graduates are OPD Officers Isaac and Isaiah Harris, twin brothers and Skyline High School alumni now serving the city where they grew up.

"The cadet program is a great segue from being a teenager into young adulthood," said Officer Isaac Harris. "The cadet program prepares and assists individuals in becoming a police officer."

Officer Isaiah Harris added: "If you would like to experience the everyday life of a police officer before making a big commitment while in college and receiving a paycheck, then you couldn't ask for any other guidance or mentorship better than the Oakland Police Department Cadet program."

Sergeant Blue Lowery, an Oakland Technical High School graduate, also came through the cadet ranks Sergeant Hardeep Singh discovered his calling after seeing a recruitment sign while delivering pizzas in the ACORN neighborhood - a chance encounter that launched a career in public safety.

"Every setback sharpened my discipline. Every challenge reminded me why I started," said Sgt. Singh. "The cadet program was an amazing opportunity which gave me a head start in becoming an Oakland police officer. I am glad I took the opportunity."

Corporate and Community Investment

Mayor Lee worked directly with Kaiser Permanente and PG&E leadership to secure funding for the program's return.

"For more than 80 years, Kaiser Permanente has called Oakland home, and our commitment to this community is unwavering," said Dante Green, Sr. Vice President and Area Manager in the East Bay, Kaiser Permanente. "This program is a perfect example of Mayor Lee's vision to invest in our young people and public safety by creating opportunity, building trust, and strengthening the connection between Oakland residents and the institutions that serve them."

"Investing in programs that create career pathways for local residents and strengthen public safety is core to our commitment to the communities we serve," said David Leach, Senior Vice president & Chief Security Officer, PG&E. "We're proud to stand with Oakland and Mayor Lee on this."

The funds will support nine cadet positions for two years in the Oakland Police Department. Each cadet's cost is a high-impact investment in a sustainable workforce solution.

Education Pipeline

The program partners with Merritt College to create an accessible pipeline for Oakland students interested in public safety careers. Cadets work part-time while completing their college education, gaining real-world experience in public safety. Approximately 90 percent go on to careers in law enforcement or related fields, including positions as police officers, 911 operators, police services technicians, and records specialists.

"Merritt College is proud to partner with Mayor Lee and OPD to give our students a clear pathway from the classroom to careers in public safety," said Mildred Oliver, Administration of Justice Department Co-Chair, Merritt College. "This is what community-centered education looks like - meeting students where they are and connecting them to meaningful work in the city they call home."

Addressing Staffing Needs

The program addresses a critical staffing need. OPD currently has 619 sworn officers, which is below the 700-officer target established by voter-approved Measure NN. Cadets provide immediate operational support to understaffed units while building the skills and community knowledge necessary for long-term success.

"This is about opportunity, dignity, and belonging," Mayor Lee said. "Public safety starts with people who are invested in their city. Today, we're making that investment in Oakland's future."