Oakland will restore its Police Department Cadet Program after the City Council recently approved up to $900,000 in grant funding from PG&E and Kaiser Permanente, Mayor Barbara Lee announced.
Applications for the paid cadet program are now open through the city’s job portal, with the program expected to relaunch in May 2026.
The funding, allocated for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, will be routed through the Oakland Police Foundation and transferred to the city in two $450,000 installments in 2026 and 2027, city officials said.
The reinstated program will initially support about nine part-time cadet positions and provide Oakland young adults with paid work experience, training and a pathway into public safety careers, including as police officers, dispatchers and police services technicians.
City officials said cadets will rotate through several law enforcement functions, including traffic, community policing, youth services and background investigations.
The funding will cover salaries, training, uniforms, and administrative costs.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply to become an Oakland Police Cadet, visit the City of Oakland’s job portal.