The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) is starting a new cadet/explorer type program for youths in the Okeechobee community.
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OCSO has partnered with an organization called Public Safety Leadership Cadets. “That program is nationally recognized,” explained Road Patrol Deputy Matthew Huffman, who is heading up the new program. “It aims to create leadership qualities in our youth even if they don’t want to go into law enforcement or public safety.” The program teaches them responsibility, structure and life skills such as CPR training. “It gives them the opportunity to learn what law enforcement and public safety as a whole does.”
Huffman said their program will include the corrections side, fire rescue and even dispatch. They will learn how to deescalate a situation, handcuffing procedures, searching procedures for the jail, CPR and first aid.
They have also partnered with the Florida Sheriff’s Explorers Association (FSEA) which is under the purview of the Florida Sheriff’s Association.
The new group will be doing competitions throughout the state and bi-annually, they will have the opportunity to do national competitions with the public safety cadets. He would like to see them do competitions more often though, and they can do this through the FSEA. These competitions range from physical agility to firearms to scenario-based situations such as traffic stops and de-escalation tactics.
Sheriff Noel Stephen said the program would open doors for these children that they might not otherwise have available.
The plan is to meet every other week and add Saturday meetings once they get going. They will use the weekend meetings for physical fitness type activities and other hands-on things there is not time for in the after-school meetings.
Huffman plans to have guest speakers from the sheriff’s office, fire rescue, corrections and even dispatch. “We want everybody to have a hand in molding these kids throughout their career with us,” he said.
The youths must be 14-17, and then up through their 21st birthday in the LEAP program. He is now accepting applications. To get an application, email cadets@okeesheriff.com. Huffman can be reached at 863-633-8280. Teens must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and be of good moral character. They can be from public, private or homeschools. Parents will have complete access to all features of the program so they can be fully involved.
The information will be available soon on line at okeesheriff.org.
