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Cadet

Cadet badge #175 used for wallet identification purposes

The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Cadet Program began with its first class of recruits in June 1965, giving men and women ages 18 to 21 the opportunity to join the Metropolitan Police Department prior to their entrance into the Police Academy at the qualifying age of 21 years old. The goal of the program was to enhance the knowledge and skills of each recruit with a broad range of training including street duty and clerical positions throughout the department.

The program ended its first run in the late 70’s with approximately 300 Cadets participating. Sometime in the mid-late 80’s the Cadet program returned and is still operational.

In 1974, I proposed that a Police Cadet badge replace the in-use orange cloth “CADET” uniform breast/sleeve patch and a later issued blue one. Prior to the patches, the Department issued a plastic “CADET” uniform insignia. Initially I was met with some resistance out of concern that a badge would be an “unnecessary cost” to the Department. However, with my persistence and the assistance of Detective Sergeant George Wilson (purveyor and veteran controller of all department issued badges), authorization was granted per the following conditions:

The cost of the badge would be incurred by each Cadet.
Only one badge per Cadet could be ordered.
The badge could only be used for “Wallet/Identification Purposes”.
With authorization in hand, I went to Phillips Police Supply (vendor for department’s uniforms and equipment) located in the 600 block of H Street, NW. I viewed a Blackinton sample catalog and selected design “B296”. Prior to executing the purchase order, the following administrative tasks needed to be completed:

Have the design approved by Det. Sgt. Wilson
Satisfy the minimum quantity order and pre-pay for 25 pieces.
Make contact with all currently employed Police Cadets (approximately 80), procuring at least twenty-five pre-payments.
Ultimately the design was approved, and a total of thirty-five Cadets purchased a badge. Cadet #175 ordered his badge and sold it to me instead of keeping it. No additional badges were ever ordered, therefore only 35 pieces existed.

Steve Platt,
Retired Detective MPD

Cap Plates

 

 

The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Cadet Program began with its first class of recruits in June 1965, giving men and women ages 18 to 21 the opportunity to join the Metropolitan Police Department prior to their entrance into the Police Academy at the qualifying age of 21 years old. The goal of the program was to enhance the knowledge and skills of each recruit with a broad range of training including street duty and clerical positions throughout the department.

The program ended its first run in the late 70’s with approximately 300 Cadets participating. Sometime in the mid-late 80’s the Cadet program returned and is still operational.

In 1974, I proposed that a Police Cadet badge replace the in-use orange cloth “CADET” uniform breast/sleeve patch and a later issued blue one. Prior to the patches, the Department issued a plastic “CADET” uniform insignia. Initially I was met with some resistance out of concern that a badge would be an “unnecessary cost” to the Department. However, with my persistence and the assistance of Detective Sergeant George Wilson (purveyor and veteran controller of all department issued badges), authorization was granted per the following conditions:

  1. The cost of the badge would be incurred by each Cadet.
  2. Only one badge per Cadet could be ordered.
  3. The badge could only be used for “Wallet/Identification Purposes”.

With authorization in hand, I went to Phillips Police Supply (vendor for department’s uniforms and equipment) located in the 600 block of H Street, NW. I viewed a Blackinton sample catalog and selected design “B296”. Prior to executing the purchase order, the following administrative tasks needed to be completed:

  1. Have the design approved by Det. Sgt. Wilson
  2. Satisfy the minimum quantity order and pre-pay for 25 pieces.
  3. Make contact with all currently employed Police Cadets (approximately 80), procuring at least twenty-five pre-payments.

Ultimately the design was approved, and a total of thirty-five Cadets purchased a badge. Cadet #175 ordered his badge and sold it to me instead of keeping it. No additional badges were ever ordered, therefore only 35 pieces existed.

Steve Platt,
Retired Detective MPD

 

Smaller badge about half the size.