Developing the interest of young men and women in the law enforcement profession is important to the continued growth of the Asheboro Police Department. The Public Safety Cadet Program (PSC) is an introductory phase of that development. Founded in 2018, PSC is a non-profit corporation recognized by the IRS as a 501(C)(3) organization that is managed by active and retired law enforcement officers and business leaders dedicated to preparing young adults, ages 14-20 (until age 21), for careers and leadership in the Public Safety professions.
What does it mean to be a Public Safety Cadet? It means you will be given a unique opportunity to interact with career professionals and engage in practical experiences. Our vision is to prepare you adults for careers and leadership in the public safety profession. Our mission in this program is to mentor young adults to serve their communities by providing knowledge, skills and practical experiences through education and training delivered by public safety professionals that build character, physical fitness, and respect for the rule of the law and human and civil rights.
Membership Requirements:
- Fulfill the prescribed Public Safety Cadets standards.
- Complete an agency Public Safety Cadet application.
- Complete a Public Safety Cadet program waiver.
- Be between the ages of 15 and 20 or 14 years old and have completed the 8th grade.
- Be approved for membership by the Chief of Police or his designee.
- Complete CJIS Awareness Training every two years.
- Cadets must be residents of Randolph County.
- Must maintain a “C” average or higher in all academic subjects.
Many cadets are interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement, but this interest is not required to be part of the program. Typical activities include:
- Bi-weekly administrative meetings and training
- Patrol “ride-alongs” with Asheboro police officers
- Community Service
- Radio procedure (how to properly use police radios)
- Traffic stops (how to conduct traffic stops)
- Building searches (how to search structures for people or evidence)
- Crime scene investigations (how to search for, log, and processes evidence such as fingerprints and DNA)
- Arrest control (how to properly defend oneself and arrest a suspect)
- High risk vehicle stops (how to pull over a vehicle deemed wanted for felony or violent crimes)
- Active shooter scenario (how to engage a gunman in high-risk situations)
- Hostage negotiations (taking control of a situation through conversation)
- Report writing (paperwork)
- Domestic disputes (how to handle domestic conflicts)
- Physical Fitness
Participation allows potential law enforcement recruits the opportunity to observe law enforcement professionals and contribute volunteer service to their community. Asheboro Police Department cadets have the potential to compete against other posts in both state-wide and local competitions. The Asheboro Police Cadet mentors are dedicated to teaching responsibility, multitasking and accountability. These continued accomplishments are due to the dedication of the cadets and their police mentors.
A lead mentor oversees the operation of the program. Mentors attend classes to supervise Cadets, help instruct, and answer questions, among their many duties. The post also has several female advisors that attend classes to offer comfort and support for female cadets. Cadets are issued uniforms and conduct their own business meetings. They are eligible to obtain rank and move up in the leadership of the post. Cadets have a voice about classes and activities in which they would like to participate.
Space in the Public Safety Cadets program is limited so please contact the police department if you are interested in the program or are the parents of a young adult who might be interested. Contact post lead mentor Master Police Officer Tatiana Lopez at 336-465-0080.
The purpose of the Asheboro Police Department ride-along program is to encourage community involvement in law enforcement and to enhance the lines of communication between the police department and the public it serves. With better communication of the challenges, risks, and rewards of the police officer's role in the community, the Asheboro Police Department hopes to promote an environment of trust and mutual respect.
Ride-along forms can be downloaded below and after completion brought to the Asheboro Police Department. The ride-along form will be returned to the Records Division and after a background check, to determine eligibility in the program, the individual requesting a ride-along will be contacted. For additional information contact Captain Mike Jones at 336-626-1300 x 2132.
Asheboro Police Department Ride-Along form
The Asheboro Police Department is excited to announce the creation of the Asheboro Police Department Citizen’s Academy. The overall goal of the program is to expand on the Asheboro Police Department’s ongoing effort to build relationships in the community, specifically by educating our community on law enforcement operations. The program affords members of the community the opportunity to learn more about the Asheboro Police Department, its programs, and to personally get to know the officers who are committed to keeping this community safe.
The citizen’s academy will be comprised of nine weekly sessions designed to provide an opportunity for members of this community to learn about current law enforcement practices in the city of Asheboro. The program will offer a close look at the things law enforcement officers face on a daily basis, how these officers are trained, innovative crime-fighting strategies, legal and constitutional principles, the impact that law enforcement-citizen relationships have on the community, and much more. In many cases, participants will be afforded the opportunity for hands-on, experiential learning, intended to provide the most realistic training possible.
Some of the topics covered include arrest techniques, conducting traffic stops, police canine use, crime scene investigation, and an overview of the Asheboro Police Department structure, including its specialized units such as SWAT, Criminal Investigations Division, Traffic Division, Community Resource Team, and more. In addition, participants will complete a “ride-along,” during which they will accompany an on-duty, sworn officer while he/she serves the community.
The number of participants is limited and restrictions apply. Anyone interested in the Asheboro Police Department Citizen’s Academy is encouraged to call Sergeant Jess Hunter at 336-736-6785 to discuss submitting an application.
Citizen's Academy dates for Fall 2026:
September 22 - November 17, 2026
Applications are due by September 10, 2026.
