Police Academy Cadet - Sponsorship (July 2027 Class)

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing reimbursement

Full-time salary and benefits

Job summary

Penn State University Police & Public Safety Department is seeking Police Academy Cadet candidates to join the University Park campus, with the academy starting July 2027 at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC). This entry-level role provides a pathway to become a sworn officer after graduation, with a focus on protecting the campus community through community policing.

Successful candidates will receive housing reimbursement during training, a full-time salary and benefits, and mentorship

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be accepted into MPOETC Act 120 Certification Program during hiring.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to community-oriented policing.

Responsibilities

• Support campus safety operations during academy and training.
• Assist sworn officers with patrol and public safety duties.
• Represent the department with integrity and professionalism.

Skills

Public safety mindset

Strong communication skills

Team player

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Accepting Applications through November 16, 2026 (ONLY)

The Penn State University Police and Public Safety Department is responsible for protecting and serving more than 100,000 students, employees, as well as visitors at campuses located throughout Pennsylvania. We are a cohesive and centralized department with sworn police officers who have full law enforcement authority serving our campuses with our headquarters being located at University Park. We are searching for Police Academy Cadet candidates to join our team at the University Park campus who hold the values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community. Cadets will attend the academy starting in July 2027 at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).

Penn State University Police & Public Safety Department is sponsoring individuals to attend a Municipal Police Academy/Act 120 Training. Upon hire and while enrolled in the academy, you would be a Penn State employee receiving a housing reimbursement, full-time salary, and benefits. After graduation, be placed as a full-time sworn police officer at the University Park campus where you will partner with Field Training Officers during your training period to learn the campus and department protocols. Policing on university campuses provides for a rewarding career supporting the students and university through a community-policing model.

It takes a special individual to work in campus law enforcement. Campus Law Enforcement work maintains the traditional policing methods found in municipal or state agencies while also requiring a unique skill set. Campus Law Enforcement differs in the following ways:

• More focused on students and their success


• Emphasis on Community Oriented Policing programs and outreach


• Time invested in welfare checks of students


• Response to various building alarms


• Enhanced-security checks at various facilities (i.e., airport, Old Main, building checks at night and during University breaks)


• Special Event Details (i.e., concerts, sporting events and graduation ceremonies)


• Understanding compliance requirements unique to University policing and campus safety

Police officers are responsible for carrying out the functions of protection of life and property, preservation of peace and good order of the community, enhancement of positive community engagement initiatives, enforcement of laws and University policies/procedures, public safety, investigative work, and other related duties. The successful candidate will be responsible for the prevention of illegal, unsafe, or undesirable activity and regulatory violations through patrol, education, inspection, and the deterrent effect of enforcement. Police officers will also be expected to enforce National, Federal, State, and local laws, as well as University regulations, through investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of violators.

The position of Police Academy Cadet minimally requires a high school diploma or equivalent and up to one year of relevant experience and the successful candidate must be accepted in to the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 Certification Course during the hiring process. Successful completion of the police academy training is required as part of continued employment. For more information regarding the police academy to include academic and physical requirements please visit: https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/mpoetc.html

Successful candidates will possess:

• Skills necessary to enhance public respect for law enforcement and the University with courteous, devoted, and ethical service


• Capacity to work cooperatively with various levels of faculty, staff, students, and outside agencies


• Ability to provide effective, honest, and credible testimony at court hearings


• Outstanding customer service orientation; excellent verbal and written communication skills; excellent analytical, judgment, ethical decision-making, and organizational skills


• Ability to work with a wide variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds


• Respect for the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality, and justice


• Capability to always uphold an excellent standard