VPD Cadet Program

The VPD Cadet program is a life-changing youth leadership program for Vancouver students in grades 10-12. This intensive 28-week program teaches tangible life skills with a focus on physical, mental and emotional health and is free to participants thanks to donor support.

The VPD Cadet program runs weekly from September through May. It offers diverse and unique programming that relies on dozens of VPD officers and their specialties.

Through mentorship, the Cadet Program guides young people toward a positive future. This program is especially needed in a time when youth face incredible societal pressures and new challenges brough about through proliferation of technology, social media and often, unrealistic “norms”.

Originally focused on inner-city youth, the program now strives to recruit participants from each secondary school in Vancouver to insure a well-rounded experience for all. However, many Cadets, including those from Cadet Class 10, still come from tough backgrounds – with 33% from single family or divorced families; 43% from high-risk situations including violence or abuse at home; and 54% having extreamely low incomes. Nevertheless, the program’s diversity is on of its greatest strengths and reflects the makeup of Vancouver. One of the program’s crowning achievements is that 90% of Cadets pursue some form of post-secondary education, well above the provincial average of 51%.

The VPD Cadet Program was the vision of Jim Chu during his tenure as Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department and is one of his most important legacies. The Cadet Program is completely funded through the Vancouver Police Foundation which means that cost is not a barrier for youth wishing to participate.

The VPF is excited to welcome Class 11 in September 2024 and we would like to thank several amazing donors who make this program possible.

Please visit the VPD website for more information on the VPD Cadet program.

VPD Cadet Program