Boulder County, Colo. - The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Cadet Post #500 is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. The cadet post was established in September 1973 and was launched under then Sheriff Brad Leach. The post had 45 young women and men participate in the program the first year who were between the ages of 14 and 17.

Today, the cadet post is a career orientation program that offers those between the ages of 14 and 21 the opportunity to experience the law enforcement profession firsthand. Over the last 50 years of the program, the cadet program has successfully launched the careers of numerous people into law enforcement, including Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson, who began as a cadet in 1986, and former Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle, who began as a cadet in 1975.

The first cadet known to have graduated from the sheriff’s office cadet program and became a deputy with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, was Greg Morrison, in February 1978. Morrison later went on to become the chief of police in Silverthorne, Vail, and the Grand Junction police departments. Other former cadets have also gone on to serve in law enforcement and public safety careers including current staff members of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. Former cadets at the sheriff’s office include a division chief, commanders, detectives, deputies, and a dispatcher.

Cadets ride along with deputies on patrol, assist detectives, observe the operations of the communications center, and work in the jail. Through their voluntary participation in the program, they can make an informed decision as to whether they wish to pursue the profession as a career. Cadets are frequently called upon to aid at a variety of public safety and/or public relations programs including traffic control at parades, presentations at school safety programs, and participation in community fairs, events, and demonstrations. Professional law enforcement training is provided, along with opportunities to attend a cadet academy, local and national conferences, seminars, and competitions.

Most recently, cadets have assisted with major incidents like the Marshall Fire response, community events like National Night Out and the Superior Chili Fest and have competed in several cadet competitions.

Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson, “My time serving in the cadet post was invaluable. It helped not only launch my career in law enforcement, but I also learned valuable skills and gained life-long friends.”

For more information about Cadet Post #500, please visit: https://bouldercounty.gov/safety/sheriff/join-our-team/cadet-post-500/. You can also follow them on Instagram @bcsocadetpost.