Meet the Warner Robins Public Safety Cadets

WARNER ROBINS – The Warner Robins Police Department introduced its new Public Safety Cadets to the community. 

The Public Safety Cadet Program prepares young adults between the ages of 14 to 21 for careers and leadership in public safety. Sgt. Josh Wilcox and Detective Matt Brankley, the program’s lead mentors, are prepared to teach the future of law enforcement and public safety.

Wilcox said the International City Experience was their first event meeting the public. In the program, cadets will receive hands-on training in law enforcement and public safety. They will also learn about Fire and Emergency Medical Services, with the opportunity for “cross-training” with members of those departments. 

They will also compete in nationwide competitions with other young adults interested in public safety. 

Wilcox said the cadets will work extensively in the community and organize projects. One project they will work toward is raising money through funding to provide defibrillators to local churches and businesses in the city. 

“We’ll be doing a lot of community service projects as well as learning about the career field of public service,” Wilcox said.

Three young adults joined the program this year and are ready to serve their community. Although they’ve only recently started the program, they have enjoyed it so far because they have met each other and created lasting friendships.

17-year-old Malachai Ali enjoys playing baseball, racing games and spending time outdoors. He found out about the program through a friend and wants to be involved in law enforcement in the future. 

He also said he looks forward to physical and hands-on training and shared that they are eager to learn more about law enforcement and their community.

“I want a chance to learn more about being more of a public servant,” Ali said.

Jazmin Taylor, a senior at Warner Robins High School, shared that she has been interested in a career in criminal justice. She learned of the program through Facebook and jumped at the opportunity to learn more about the career field. She hopes to be a forensics investigator in the future.

“I really want to make a difference in my community,” Taylor said.

Aaron McKay, a freshman at Veterans High School, enjoys playing video games in his free time. He saw the program as an opportunity to boost his resumé and looks forward to learning more about medical procedures, like first aid and CPR, to have the knowledge in case he needs it.

The cadets were also present and introduced to the public during the Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10. along with fellow cadet Fernando Morales. They will also represent the city on National Night Out on Oct.1. 

According to Wilcox, the Public Safety cadet unit is designated as #0071, the radio call sign for Ofc. Anthony James Cilurso, the only Warner Robins Police Officer to give his life in the line of duty.

Wilcox said they want to keep the cadets safe and not confused as police officers. He shared that people often see negative things about law enforcement, and they want to break away from the stigma. 

“It is an honorable profession. We do a lot of good, public safety in general, and we do have youths that are interested in that profession. We want to encourage them to come out and take part in it and learn about what it actually is,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox also shares that it is a beneficial career field, but it can be challenging for someone who doesn’t have experience. The program gives cadets an early look and allows them to form an opinion on whether law enforcement is a desirable career path. 

The Warner Robins Public Safety Cadets meet every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Applications are available at the Warner Robins Police Department. 

Anyone interested in the program or seeking more information, contact Sgt. Josh Wilcox at (478) 297-3329 or jewilcox@wrga.gov.