Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Cadet/Explorer Program

The goal of the Sarasota County Sheriffs Office Cadet Program is to foster respect for law and order within the youth of today. It is geared toward presenting the youth an avenue of self-expression toward career interests. This program allows young men and women in the high school a firsthand knowledge of the challenging, responsibility and compassion. It gives the youth of today an insight to the role of the law officers in today’s society.         

This program is not trying to rehabilitate  would‑be delinquents.  It is built on the concept of offering youth today an insight into a career. As stated, the Cadet Program affords interested persons with firsthand knowledge, experience and practical application for the various jobs and fields available at the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office or any law enforcement agency. By having this experience available to them, numerous members of the Cadet Program have gone on to full‑time employment as regular deputy sheriffs, clerical workers, correction’s deputies and efficient radio dispatchers.        

This program affords the youth with the opportunity of “Exploring” the tremendous role that law enforcement plays not only as part of local government, but as protectors of society and as the guardian of our American way of freedom.  They learn that our Constitution affords all citizens certain unalienable rights and should continue to pursue their ambitions to the fullest, and then someday, they can proudly say, “My job?  Why, it’s to serve TO SERVE and TO PROTECT.”

Junior Cadet Information

Cadet Program facts

Letter to Parents

Senior Cadet Information

Senior Cadet 2009- 10 Schedule