From Cadets to Careers: TPD to Host Annual Recruitment Night for Cadet Program

From Cadets to Careers: TPD to Host Annual Recruitment Night for Cadet Program

August 07, 2026

For more than four decades, the Tallahassee Police Department's (TPD) Cadet Program has introduced young people to the profession of policing while developing leadership, discipline, and a commitment to service that extends far beyond law enforcement. Since its founding in 1984, the program has launched the careers of 49 public safety professionals, creating a pipeline of future officers and public servants committed to serving their communities.

In just the last five years, four former cadets have joined the ranks of the Tallahassee Police Department and five at other agencies. Former cadets now serve in a variety of public safety careers, including as sworn law enforcement officers, victim advocates and forensic technicians, demonstrating the program's lasting impact both within TPD and across the profession.

The Cadet Program is open to students ages 14 - 20 and begins with a 40-hour academy designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of law enforcement.

Throughout the year, cadets receive:

• Hands-on instruction in a variety of policing disciplines
• Monthly patrol ride-alongs
• Volunteer opportunities at community events
• Prepare for statewide scenario-based competitions

For Cadet Captain Addixian Gillespie, the program has become much more than an introduction to law enforcement.

"The Tallahassee Police Cadet Program is an amazing learning experience. I have been in the Cadet Program for five years. I have not only learned about how police officers work, but also how to be a part of a system that is always changing. Serving as Cadet Captain has taught me how to lead others in a task-oriented way while building confidence and responsibility. I am interested in becoming a police officer myself, and I know the knowledge and life skills I have gained through this program will stay with me throughout my career."

For Sergeant Evan Alwine, who has been part of the program for 26 years and has overseen it for the last 20, its greatest success is measured not only by the careers it launches, but by the young leaders it helps shape.

"I've had the privilege of watching generations of young people walk through our doors as cadets and leave as confident leaders," Alwine said. "Some have gone on to become Tallahassee police officers, while others have built successful careers throughout public safety. No matter where life takes them, the Cadet Program teaches responsibility, teamwork and service, qualities that last a lifetime.

Now, that legacy continues as TPD invites the next generation of future public servants to take the first step. Tuesday, Aug. 18, the Cadet Program will host its annual Cadet Recruitment Night from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at TPD Headquarters, located at 234 E. Seventh Avenue. Prospective cadets and their families will have the opportunity to meet current members and advisors, learn about the application process, and discover firsthand what it means to be part of the department's longest-running youth program.

For additional information, contact Sergeant Evan Alwine at [email protected]. To learn more about the TPD Cadet Program and other youth opportunities, visit Talgov.com/Police.