By Megan Guerrero & Mariyah Ramirez

I have a drive to lead others and teach them what I have learned. But, I also enjoy having a big say in how things are run in my post.

Jaden Marroquin

Today, the police force stands as a career path for over nine 9,000 individuals in Los Angeles County. Encouraging youth to explore and engage with career paths in law enforcement is an important crucial task for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

The Los Angeles Cadet program is central to this mission, allowing hundreds of aspiring youth to explore the law enforcement path. The core principles of the program are to recruit young people interested in law enforcement, to allow young people to provide community service, to offer physical training and fitness, and to develop leadership skills.

Beyond his passion for cars and working part-time at Target, senior Jaden Marroquin also serves as Cadet Captain at the Devonshire division in the LAPD Cadet Program where he gets to work alongside officers.

“My mom found out about the Cadet Program through another program called PALS, after which I decided to join as I want to become an LAPD officer,” Marroquin said.

The Police Activity League Supporters (PALS) program offers year-round activities aimed at fostering trust and understanding between young people, the LAPD, and the community.

The LAPD offers free enrichment activities for children aged 7-17 that are designed to build life skills and job training as well as to give a space to discuss life and social justice issues.
The LAPD also offers a junior cadet program aimed at participants who are younger aged 8-12. They engage in similar activities however that instill community pride, discipline, and leadership.

With five years and over 1,500 volunteer hours under his belt, Marroquin’s aspirations to join the police force as an LAPD officer are firmly rooted. The LAPD Cadet Program promotes discipline and responsibility, with Marroquin being responsible for leading his post of 40 cadets, helping them with their leadership potential, and helping them ascend the ranks to become part of the command staff.

On a typical day as captain, Marroquin arrives at the station early to have a briefing with the supervising officers. The officers give Marroquin the schedule for the day and what tasks he needs to accomplish. From then on, Marroquin has to come up with a plan alongside the Lieutenants. They then get it checked out by the officers. Once that is done, the whole post has to do physical training and some squad time.

Upon his graduation, Marroquin will pass the baton of leadership to the next cadet in line, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and dedication. Over his five years in the program, he has risen from corporal to sergeant to lieutenant, and finally to captain.

As captain, Marroquin is responsible for overseeing the command staff which often requires exceptional communication skills.

Marroquin has experienced a lot of great opportunities that are given to those who join the program. Not only do the cadets work at Dodger games, but they are also rewarded with attending Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland.