DENVER SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
Office of the Sheriff
 Department Order
1.00.5009
 Previous Revision:
January 2021		  Current Revision:
December 2021		  Reviewed:
October 2021
  Effective Date:
December 8th, 2021
Related Standards:
Public Safety Cadets Procedure and Rules Manual
Related (referenced) Department Orders:
N/A
 Subject:
PUBLIC SAFETY CADET PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
  1. Purpose:  The purpose of this order is to prescribe guidelines used to establish procedures that allow public safety cadets to accompany deputy sheriffs in the Denver Sheriff Department ("DSD" or the "Department") vehicles or on assigned posts during regular duty hours.
  2. Policy: It is the policy of the DSD to provide public safety cadets with the opportunity to observe the duties and responsibilities required of deputies when performing such diverse duties as warrant services, proceedings of arraignments, civil paper service, and interaction in the care and custody of inmates.
  3. Cancellation: This order supersedes and cancels previous versions of Department Order 1.00.5009. 
  4. Implementation: 
    1. Each division chief or designee shall determine which vehicles or posts and what times are appropriate for cadets to ride with or observe responsibilities with deputies assigned to their divisions. This includes, but is not limited to, public safety cadets observing in the housing units of the correctional facilities. The following guidelines shall be used when determining the appropriateness of the requests:
      1. each cadet assigned to the DSD may participate in one (1) paid ride per month and may participate in voluntary rides;
      2. paid and voluntary rides may be scheduled at the DSD;
      3. the cadet may not work or act in any law enforcement capacity; and
      4. the cadet may not operate the vehicle or radio during the observance period except in an emergency.
    2. Public safety cadets are limited from participating in any job tasks which involve making an arrest, taking physical custody of a person, or any other job responsibility assigned to deputies.
      1. Cadets are prohibited from using physical force against another person with the sole exception of preventing imminent injury or loss of life. If a fellow employee, citizen, inmate, or peer is in immediate jeopardy, cadets may apply physical force that is normally expected from a prudent citizen who does not have legal authority. This shall be the applied standard that justifies physical force.
      2. Cadets are to avoid placing themselves or being placed in a position where they appear to be acting under the color of authority for arresting, controlling, chasing, detaining, or subduing another person.
    3. Under no circumstances shall cadets be allowed to use any weapon nor shall any weapon be used on cadets as a part of any training or demonstration.
    4. Public safety cadets shall attend Civilian New Employee Orientation through the Training Academy.
    5. For further information, refer to the Public Safety Cadets Procedure and Rules Manual. For a current copy of the manual, contact the cadet program administrator in the Manager of Safety’s Office.
  5. Accountability:
    1. It shall be the responsibility of the cadet program administrator and all the DSD personnel assigned to or involved with the cadets to ensure that the cadets have an opportunity to participate in and do not abuse the participation program as defined above.
    2. It is the responsibility of the DSD cadet program administrator or designee to: 
      1. provide training in authorized and assigned duties;
      2. create specific ride-along/observance procedures;
      3. ensure that cadets do not perform any job responsibilities assigned to deputies, and
      4. ensure that cadets are portrayed only as observers.
  6. Responsibility: 
    1. Training: 
      1. The Training Academy shall ensure that the curriculum of all currently existing classes and any newly developed classes are compliant with this order.
    2. Management: 
      1. The division chief/unit commander or unit manager of any division or unit affected by this policy shall:
        1. ensure that existing procedures and all newly developed orders are in compliance with this order;
        2. ensure that all affected personnel are made aware of this policy; and
        3. ensure this policy is reviewed annually for compliance with all federal, state and local laws and standards.
    3. Supervisors:  
      1. All supervisors will ensure that the provisions of this policy are being followed.
    4. Staff:  
      1. All deputies and employees will comply with the provisions of this policy.
  7. Effective Date: This order will become effective on December 8th, 2021. 
  8. Approval: This document has been reviewed, approved, and electronically signed by the Sheriff and the Executive Director of Safety of the City and County of Denver prior to its publication.