The Willoughby Police Cadets #6020 is a non-profit organization that helps to prepare young candidates for a career in law enforcement
By Mary Malik
As a kid, Officer Ross Shirey, a nine-year veteran of the Willoughby Police Department (WPD), never gave a thought to a career in law enforcement. Fast forward to his early 30s and looking for a change from his career in a machine shop, a mentor suggested Officer Shirey had the physical skills and temperament to be successful as a police officer. Ross took that advice and today, he’s the department’s community involvement officer and unit commander of the Willoughby Police Cadets #6020 program along with his other duties.
“I have a desire and a skill set that fits community involvement and sharing an inside perspective on this job,” Ross says. “Public Safety Cadets is an extension of that and is a great introduction for young people who may be interested in a career in law enforcement.”
The Willoughby Police Cadets #6020, named after the department’s unit number, started in the 1980s as the Police Explorers program offered through Boy Scouts of America. When the officer running Police Explorers retired, Officer Shirey took over in September 2023 and rebranded it as Willoughby Police Cadets #6020 to provide cadets with practical experience in law enforcement. He created a 501(c)(3) to accept scholarship donations for the cadets to attend the police academy. The department pays to manage the program.
“Our Explorer program did great things for many years, but I felt it was time for a change. I wanted to take a more comprehensive approach. It was important that we gave the cadets an honest look at the job and what it takes to succeed,” Ross says. “I took the Ohio police academy training curriculum, broke it down and simplified it. This program offers practical training in many areas of police work, such as traffic stops and accidents, domestic violence calls, fraud investigations and dispatch, which is a separate career on its own.”
For an authentic experience, cadets achieve rank within the program, compete in statewide competitions, make mock traffic stops while driving real police cruisers on closed roads, get crowd control training at community events and take part in a ride-along program certified by the International Police Chiefs Association.
“Cadets wear training uniforms, badges and a belt with a training gun,” Ross says. “Our job as mentors is to coach the cadets not only from a vocational standpoint, but personal development as well. Ultimately, we wish the best for them regardless of what they decide to do, whether that’s working in our profession or not.”
Part of that experience includes shadowing the Willoughby police dispatchers.
“Dispatching is a great career and in demand just like officers are. Not everyone who joins the cadets will decide to become cops, so we really wanted to offer the opportunity to learn both. Over the last few years, recruiting has become increasingly challenging. Hopefully our program will help increase overall interest and the amount of qualified candidates.”
Willoughby Police Cadets #6020 is open to those aged 14-20 interested in a law enforcement profession and enrolled in high school, college or those who have graduated from high school. Application includes background check for references and school conduct. Cadets meet three Wednesdays each month at the WPD station. For additional membership information check the website WPDCadets.org.
Testimonials
“Willoughby Police Cadets #6020 is hands-on and provides practical, on-the-scene training. What I like most about law enforcement is you never know what each day on the job will bring and how you’ll be able to help people.”
—Nick Henson, 18
“There is no limit to what we can learn as public safety cadets. We work as a team on multiple scenarios taught by our instructors in a fun, safe environment. If you’re serious about pursuing a career in law enforcement, this is the place to be.”
—Derek Albert, 17
To donate directly to Willoughby Police Cadets #6020, a non-profit organization with a mission to prepare cadets for a career in law enforcement use the link below. Donations help purchase new training equipment and offer scholarships to local police academies for qualified candidates.