Running head: YIP: PPC 1

Youth In Policing: Phoenix Police Cadets

Dayzi Maldonado

Arizona State University Downtown Campus

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 2

Abstract

I decided to research the Phoenix Police Cadets Program through the Phoenix Police

Department. This program allows teenagers from high school through college to get a “hands-

on” experience on what policing and law enforcement is truly all about. They meet either at the

Downtown Police Headquarters or at the Phoenix Police Academy, which allows the group to be

around the environment that a police officer is constantly around. Even though this community

only meets once a week, they are a wonderful community of teenagers that all share a common

interest in the world of policing. Each person is not the same as the next, coming from different

backgrounds, religions, schools, geographic locations, beliefs, etc. Yet, they figure out how to

become one and support one another no matter the situation. Not only are these teens friends or

acquaintances with each other, this group builds relationships and life-long friendships that will

stay with an individual for the rest of their life.

Keywords: Phoenix, Police, Teenagers, Community, Experience

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 3

Youth In Policing: Phoenix Police Cadets

Section 1, Question Bank

The purpose of my inquiry is to find out, whether or not, the Phoenix Police Cadets are a

community within a community or just a random group of people. I hope to discover what truly

motivates the group and keeps them going as well as the smaller things within the group, as a

whole, that really make them seem and feel like a family. I would really like to know everything

there is to know about this group from how you get accepted to certain events, activities, and

things that they do that has a lot of importance to them.

Central Research Question

● What makes the Phoenix Police Cadets a community rather than a club or group?

General Inquiry/Observation Questions

● How does one become a Cadet?

● What are certain things that are important to the group (objects, events, locations, etc.)?

General Interview Questions

● Are you a Cadet or a Recruit? What is the difference?

● What school do you go to and how did you hear about the program?

Interview Questions for Specific People

● Mirschan Daniel:

- What is your favorite part about coming to a meeting?

- What are some of the most important aspects of the group?

- What is it about this program that makes it feel as if it is one big family?

Section 2, Sites of Inquiry

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 4

Sites of Inquiry Contact / Location Dates / Times

Phoenix Police Headquarters David Barrios (Officer), Post Meeting.

(Downtown) Phoenix Cadets Advisor Attended (10/23/2018) 5:30
620 W. Washington St., PM-8:30 PM
Phoenix, Arizona 85003

Phoenix Police Academy David Barrios (Officer), Post Meeting

Phoenix Cadets Advisor Attended (4/2018)
10001 S. 15th Ave., 5:30 PM-8:30 PM
Phoenix, Arizona 85041

Interview at Dutch Bros Mirschan Daniel, Interview

Coffee Phoenix Police Cadet Conducted (10/23/2018)
6965 N. 95th Ave., 9:00 PM-9:45 PM
Glendale, Arizona 85381
YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 5

Section 3, Inquiring into Objects /Artifacts

Part 1, Summarize the experience, including responses and notes (~200 words):

As I arrived at the Phoenix Police Station, I had to tell the officer behind the wall of glass

to open the door for me because I was there for the Cadets. He looked at me a bit differently

because I was not in a uniform. As I looked behind me, a small group of Cadets, that were

wearing the uniform that was required for the night, were able to just walk through the doors

without having to get the officer's attention at all.

The night I decided to go, the Cadets were working out for a future event. Therefore, they

were all wearing sweatpants and a black long sleeve with the Phoenix Police Cadet logo on the

shirt, as well as athletic shoes. I began to notice that there were a few cadets that showed up out

of uniform; wearing a gray shirt instead or jeans with a shirt. Those that were out of uniform

were not allowed to stand with the rest of the Cadets because they did stick out. The Command

Staff actually set aside time to get the Cadets into the proper uniform before the meeting started.

This uniform is actually not what they usually wear. A meeting that consisted of getting

information across and briefing the month meant that they would wear either a blue button-up

long sleeve shirt with a Phoenix Police Cadet logo on the shoulder with navy blue dress pants.

There are a number of other adornments that go into the uniform as well yet, can vary from

person to person. Along with the “blue shirts,” there are also the “grey shirts,” which are the

recruits.

Part 2, Principle Quotes or Observations with an explanation of value:

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 6

1. The Command Staff going out of their way and taking time to find an extra uniform for

those who were out of uniform. This is significant because it shows how important the

uniform is to the community, as well as, how much the community wants to be seen as

one.

2. “We have the ‘blue shirts’ and the ‘grey shirts.’ Each of these uniforms means something

different and gives the ‘grey shirts’ something to work towards.” This is significant

because they use their uniform as an object for the Cadets to earn rather than just

something they wear because they are within the community.

3. The fact that they have multiple uniforms to wear for different occasions/events also

caught my attention. They have a work-out uniform, the “casual” uniform, and the

“fancy” uniform. This is significant because it teaches the people of this community to

have responsibilities and show them how it would be like in the actual policing world.
YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 7

Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):

The community really showed me how important their uniform is to them. Just by the

effort they put forth to change the few that showed up in the wrong uniform displayed how vital

having the proper uniform on the right day can make a difference. Having everyone in the same

uniform makes a big difference when it comes to how other people will see the group. The same

uniform has this message of “union” and “one whole community.”

They talked to me about the “blue” and “gray” shirts. What this means is that if you are a

“gray” shirt, you are a recruit. Being a recruit means that you are new to the community and are

awaiting to go to the Academy. A “blue” shirt, on the other hand, is someone that has already

went to the Academy and has graduated. The “blue” shirts are known as the Cadets because they

have earned the clothes they are wearing. The idea of earning this simple object of a shirt can be

seen as “lame” or maybe even “boring.” Yet, to the community, it is the whole reason you

become a Cadet in the first place. Being able to wear a blue shirt allows the individual to have a

sense of pride because they spent two weeks out of their summer, working hard, getting up early,

and exercising in order to receive that shirt.

Not only do they have their workout uniform, the grey uniform, and the blue uniform,

they also have the “Class B” uniform. The blue shirt is known as “Class A” either short sleeve or

long sleeve, meanwhile, the “Class B” is known as black. This uniform consists of a navy blue

polo with the Phoenix Police Cadet emblem on it, black BDU’s, and shined combat boots. The

variety of different uniforms, not only, gives the Cadets something to pay attention to but also,

gives the Advisors of the post some room to assign a different uniform for a specific meeting or

event that the uniform would go well with.

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 8

Section 4, Inquiring into Place

Part 1, Summarize the observation, including responses and notes (~200 words):

From the outside, the Phoenix Police Headquarters is not what everyone would think of

when they think of a police headquarters. It looks like any other building with the exception of

the huge Phoenix Police logo hanging above the doors. Walking in, there was a small waiting

area with police officers looking at you through a thick, glass window. Once you get past the

entry way, the lobby of the station is decently big. Everywhere you turn, there are police officers

or city employees. The basement is where the Cadets hold their meetings in order to keep

everyone, all eighty of them, organized. It is also in the basement that the Cadets office is that

showcases their trophies won in various competitions as well as the Advisors’ offices’.

The other location is the Phoenix Police Academy. When arriving to the Academy, there

is a long road that you have to drive up just to get there. Once you get past the gates, there are a

number of small parking lots to your right along with multiple buildings. When you get to the

end of this road, you arrive at the track. The track is where a majority of the training happens for

police officers, as well as the Cadets. The Cadets use the Academy grounds for training

purposes, if its running around the track or getting trained on how to handcuff someone, they use

it as much as they can. While walking on the Academy grounds, you can really feel the “police

vibe.” They also have a shooting range and a village at the Academy. The shooting range is on

top of the mountain while the village is a bit before. The village is three buildings that are used

specifically for police training. Cadets or officers can go into the village and train with hostage

situations, domestic violence calls, house searching, and a number of other scenarios.

Part 2, Principle Quotes or Observations with an explanation of value:

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 9

4. The Phoenix Police Academy is where individuals go to train to become police officers

during their time at the Academy. This is significant because this happens year-round,

meaning that the Cadets get the opportunity to see what their future might hold and what

it could consist of.

5. “620 is our home away from home.” The Cadets call the Phoenix Police Headquarters

“620” because that is the address, 620 W. Washington. This was said when I was

mingling with a few recruits. This is significant because the community does not feel like

an obligation but rather like you are seeing your family once a week. Personally, I think

that this one characteristic is vital to any community, simply, because it gives the

community a better feel and environment.

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 10

Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):

At both places, you can feel the police presence vividly. Being in the Phoenix Police

Headquarters myself, I was able to experience the same feeling that a lot of the Cadets

experience almost everyday. I believe that both the Academy and the Headquarters are amazing

places to have Cadet meetings or details because, for those who are completely driven and

motivated to become a police officer or be in any field of law enforcement, it gives each

individual the opportunity to experience being in a police setting with other officers, especially at

the Academy.

When I arrived at the meeting, I began to talk to a group of recruits. They expressed to

me how much they enjoy the opportunity of being able to come into “620” and getting trained by

actual officers. The environment is perfect for the community, considering the whole point of

Cadets is to train young men and women about law enforcement. It seemed like the recruits

really loved the Academy. The only thing they expressed to me that they did not like was the fact

that it is so far for most people but, other than that, they absolutely love the idea of being able to

train and learn in the same area and location of the future officers of the street.
YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 11

Section 5, Inquiring into Activities/Events

Part 1, Summarize the observation, including responses and notes (~200 words):

I went to one of the meetings that they have every week on a Tuesday. Each week, the

meeting has a new objective but this one happened to be a training. The community has an

upcoming event called the “Cadet Olympics” that will consist of a variety of different obstacle

courses and activities that relate to the field of police work such as running, push ups, pull ups,

etc. At this event, there will be about ten other agencies from Arizona there to compete. At the

meeting, the community split up into four different groups. The group that I went with began

with running up and down a parking garage then, moved onto sit-ups and pull ups in the gym.

They were all training to figure out who would be best to compete out of the eighty members that

they have. Even the Advisors were impressed with how much some of the Cadets accomplished.

Their other meetings can range from an admin night, which is when the community goes

over what is happening for the month, or training, which can be a variety of things such as

fingerprinting, physical training, how to fight and protect yourself, or even how to pull someone

over. These meetings can be at one of the two locations. Apart from training, the community

enjoys being together outside of the police environment as well. They also have fun nights where

they go ice skating or play volleyball together. Not only do these fun events allow a break from

the world of policing, but it allows the community to become one rather than a group of people.

They are also required to complete a minimum of eight hours of community service each month.

These community service events are called details in the community and allow an even further

in-depth experience of the policing world besides the meetings.

Part 2, Principle Quotes or Observations with an explanation of value:

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 12

6. “Chandler Competition is my absolute favorite event of the year! It is something that

everyone looks forward to every January.” This is what Mirschan Daniel had told me.

This is significant because an event that happens annually and gives Cadets something to

look forward to is a good thing to keep people going and keep people motivated.

7. “Academy is an experience that no one will forget. What happens in the Academy, stays

in the Academy.” Mirschan Daniel also had told me this when I had asked him about the

different events/activities that the community does. This is significant because the Cadet

Academy is literally a smaller, condensed version of the real Police Academy. For

anyone in the community that wants to become a police officer, this allows them to have

a step-up above other people in the future.

8. They are required to complete a minimum of eight hours of community service every

month, though a majority of the Cadets complete way more that the minimum. This is

significant because it allows each Cadet to learn what it will be like when he/she does

become a police officer, as well as, the idea of a community helping their own

community that they are in.

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 13

Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):

The Cadets have a number of activities and events that they do during the year. Some of

the most important ones are the Academy, the Chandler Competition, all their details, and the

Honor Guard. The Academy is a smaller version of the Police Academy but for Cadets. For two

weeks out of June, Cadets will wake up early, exercise, train, and learn what it takes to become a

police officer. By doing this, you will receive your blue shirt and be reminded of what you had to

endure every time you put it on. The Chandler Competition is has been around for about twenty

years. This competition consists of multiple agencies, nationwide, that all compete against each

other in different scenarios in order to win a variety of trophies. With the Cadets, this means an

overnight stay at a hotel with food provided all the time. It truly is something you cannot miss

out on.

The other events include details. A detail is a community service event that happens

throughout the month that Cadets can sign up for to get their hours. These events can range from

a huge variety of things such as GAIN Events, Bat Caves, Citizen’s Police Academy, to even

helping out at the State Police Memorial. The Phoenix Police Department relies greatly on the

Cadets to get the extra help that they need to keep each event running smoothly. By doing some

of these events, Cadets get the opportunity to work with the community very closely and very

meet some important police personale like Chief Jeri Williams. She absolutely loves the Phoenix

Police Cadets and admires everything that we do for the department so it is not unusual for her to

stop by and say hi to everyone, once in awhile. The Honor Guard is a small group of Cadets that

are allowed to present the colors, or our flags. This can happen at a number of events and has

even happened at Chase Field for a baseball game.

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 14

Section 6, Inquiring into People/Person

Part 1, Summarize the observation, including responses and notes (~200 words):

I have known Mirschan Daniel for about four years now. Therefore, I took him to his

favorite place to conduct the interview, Dutch Bros. After asking my questions, I was able to see

how passionate he was about the program and the community. He really emphasized the fact of

the community feelings like a family. “After being in the post for about four years, everyone

becomes a big family because you see them at least six or seven times a month. Unless you’re

going to be antisocial and not talk to anyone, you eventually develop some sort of foundation of

friendship or a relationship with everyone within the community.” This really confirmed my

observation of the “family” aspect of the community because if someone who has been involved

in the Cadets for as long as he has, he has to be right about how the Cadets feel and function.

He also expressed to me how much he loves going to specific details or events that the

community holds. “I have been to every Chandler Competition since my recruit year. This one

event during the year gives everyone the opportunity to have fun with each other and help out the

competition as well. Plus, we get fed good food and get to stay in a nice hotel, which is worth it.”

The Chandler Competition seems to be one of the more prevalent events that the Cadets

participate in. Mirschan has been an actor in for the past three years at the competition and plans

on going again, this January, to be an actor for one more year.

Overall, Mirschan told me that he has no plans on leaving the program anytime soon.

“The Cadets are a special part of my life now and I am grateful for every experience and for any

future ones to come.”

Part 2, Principle Quotes or Observations with an explanation of value:

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 15

9. “Everyone becomes a family.” This is significant because it confirms my core question.

The fact that a member of the community, who has been a member for almost four years,

says this about the Cadets means that the community really becomes one. Not only does

the community strive for the aspect of family but they achieve it as well.

10. The passion that Mirschan had while he was talking about the community was something

that I cannot even describe. He was totally involved with the whole conversation and I

think, at a moment, even lost himself. This is significant because it shows how well this

community has rubbed off or has done for just this one individual so, you could imagine

how much the Cadets program has done for the rest of the Cadets, the Advisors, and all

of the Phoenix community as well.

11. “The Cadets are a special part of my life now..” This is significant because it allows

anyone who may be interested in joining the community or someone who has been or is

apart of this community the ability to see how much the Cadets have impacted the people

within it.
YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 16

Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):

It is obviously visible to me how much this community means to Mirschan. Every aspect

of everything that the Cadets does, from the smaller things of just providing a stable structure of

a community to the bigger things like trips and “once in a lifetime” experiences, helps each

person become more involved and incorporated into the community. Mirschan expressed how

much this community has done for him not only physically, mentally, or socially but in life

overall. Anyone with eyes can see how much the Phoenix Police Cadets enforce and really strive

for the community and family characteristics for the group and they achieve it.

From my experience with the community, you do get the sense that everyone is

comfortable with each other. There is no awkward tension or quiet moments in the community at

all. They even included me in the activities by letting me help time the runners and even

allowing me just to be there at their meeting in general. The communities personality is amazing

and you can get the sense, straight away, that they are not only there for themselves but each

other, as well. What this community - this family - is doing is absolutely extraordinary and I

support everything about it.

Section 7, Soundscape Links

YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 17

Video Link: https://youtu.be/9pPcLRMnnkE

Pictures:
YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 18

Section 8, WP3 Proposal

Some of the major outcomes that have come to be true about the Phoenix Police Cadets

are that they are a community, even though they are composed of different people from different

backgrounds, they take their uniform very seriously when it comes to certain meeting and

looking a particular way, the community is completely centered around police work and law

enforcement, thus, making the Phoenix Police Headquarters and Academy the perfect places for

meetings to be, and that the people within the community are open to everyone and everything

that has to do with learning or even making a new friend. This research eventually leads back to

the question of, “What makes the Phoenix Police Cadets a community rather than a group or

club?” This question is worth anyone's attention because all the aspects that I have found in my

research about this community show that they do not only meet every Tuesday of the month

because they have to or because they are being forced to. They attend every meeting and every

detail because they want to and want to grow in their career as a Phoenix Police Cadet, as well as

having some friends along the way. The word community might not even fit the Cadets. As it

was displayed to me and from what I believe, I think they acted more like a family because they

truly do care about each other as if they were all brothers and sisters. The Advisors also show a

great amount of compassion for each Cadet as if they were their own child. Given my research, I

propose an essay that will inform its audience about the community aspect of the Phoenix Police

Cadets.
YOUTH IN POLICING: PHOENIX POLICE CADETS 19

References

● Daniel, M. (2018, October 23). Personal Interview