The Redwood City Police Cadet Program

The Redwood City Police Cadet Program has a long and well-established history of offering valuable experience to local teens and young adults as they explore the vocation of law enforcement. At the same time, these volunteers provide many hours of service to the Redwood City community during City events and large-scale incidents handled by the Police Department. Yet the Program also strives to provide participants with direction and guidance to prepare for the responsibilities of becoming a successful adult.

The Cadet Program has refocused its emphasis on early development of youth interested in seeking careers in law enforcement. Throughout the year, cadets learn and practice police techniques including enforcement tactics and strategies, legal precedents and statutes, and community policing. Those who are interested travel regionally and throughout the State to compete with other Cadet teams in order to further develop their skills and challenge their resolve to pursue a career in law enforcement. In recent years, the Cadet Program has grown into an award-winning group, gaining regional acknowledgments for their performance.

Cadets are unarmed and are not police officers, nor do they undertake enforcement tasks in any capacity, however cadets are exposed to policing topics within controlled environments and under close supervision of Police Department employees. The primary goal of this program is to expose youths with an interest in law enforcement to core values and functions that frame this profession. The Redwood City Police Department continues to benefit from the Cadet Program, as a number of cadets, have eventually gone on to be selected as police officers.

The Cadet Program is located in the Police Activities League (PAL) building on Bay Road and enjoys partnership with this program as Cadets serves as role models for youth in the community. Cadets must volunteer at least ten hours of their time each month, as well as attend monthly meetings and training sessions. Working with sworn police officers at public events and assisting in various capacities throughout the Department helps the young people develop new leadership skills and explore many of the facets of public service while learning to stand on their own two feet. 

More information can be found on the Redwood City Police Department’s Cadet Program webpage at:

http://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/police-department/police-divisions/patrol-division/cadet-program

Black Friday / Cyber Monday Safety Tips

The holiday season is up on us and we want to give you a quick reminder to stay safe while you are out shopping for the holidays. The National Crime Prevention Council has great tips to help you shop safely while getting those great holiday bargains on Black Friday. Here are some safety tips to remember:

Shopping in Stores

• Do not buy more than you can carry.  Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or asking a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
• Save all receipts.  Print and save all confirmations from your online purchases. Start a file folder to keep all receipts together and to help you verify credit card or bank statements as they come in.
• Don’t flash the cash. Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as onetime or multi-use disposable credit cards or money orders, including at online stores.
• Wait until asked by a cashier before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.

 Walking to and From Your Car

• Be informed about your surroundings.
• Deter pickpockets.  Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
• Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
• Do not leave packages visible in your car. Lock them in the trunk, or if possible, take them directly home.

 Shopping With Small Children

• If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you are separated from each other.
• Select a central meeting place.
• Teach them to know they can ask mall personnel or store security employees if they need help.
• Have them memorize or keep your cell phone number handy.

 Shopping Online

• Before surfing the Internet, secure your personal computers by updating your security software. Everyone’s computer should have anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-spam software, as well as a good firewall installed.
• Keep your personal information private and your password secure. Do not respond to requests to “verify” your password or credit card information unless you initiated the contact. Legitimate businesses will not contact you in this manner.
• Beware of “bargains” from companies with whom you are unfamiliar — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
• Use secure websites for purchases. Look for the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen or “https” in the URL address.
• Shop with companies you know and trust. Check for background information if you plan to buy from a new or unfamiliar company.
• To avoid purchasing counterfeit products, carefully examine the products you want to buy for signs of missing information (manufacturing information, warranty, product codes, etc.), broken or missing safety seals, different or incomplete packaging, and subtle or obvious changes to a company logo.