From left, Officers Daniel DeJesus and Cherubin Musangu stand in front of the Lowell Police station after working the overnight shift. (Photo courtesy Lowell PD)
LOWELL — Superintendent Greg Hudon is pleased to report that the Lowell Police Department’s first two cadets have graduated from the Lowell Police Academy and become full-time sworn police officers after gaining experience in community policing via the department’s Cadet Program.
Officers Daniel DeJesus and Cherubin Musangu were the first two individuals hired into the police department’s paid Cadet Program in January 2023.
They each spent over a year working for Lowell Police in a mostly community policing role, attending community events and assisting with maintaining contact with residents. Cadets also assist with record-keeping and undergo training to prepare them for a career in law enforcement.
“It helped me have a better understanding of what’s needed for the job,” said Officer Musangu. “We got to go on ride-alongs and that was a very eye-opening experience that I had with other officers. The program also helped me get ready in terms of the physical and mental aspects of the job.”
“You’re able to learn a lot of different things in a fast period of time,” said Officer DeJesus. “We were given many opportunities.”
The Cadet Program is geared toward individuals who want to pursue a career as a sworn law enforcement officer, and those who complete the program and pass the state Civil Service Exam are eligible for preference on the Lowell Police Department’s hiring list.
Officers DeJesus and Musangu both passed the Massachusetts Civil Service Exam with high scores and did not require use of the Cadet preference. Both attended the Lowell Police Academy and became sworn police officers on Oct. 10, 2024.
Both officers are now working as patrolmen on the department’s late night shift. Musangu is in his final semester working toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from UMass Lowell. Officer DeJesus is working toward an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Middlesex Community College.
The Cadet Program, which was initially funded by a $125,000 grant from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office Community Policing Development program, is now funded as part of the police department’s annual budget.
The hiring of Officer DeJesus and Officer Musangu brings the department to a total of 219 sworn officers. The Lowell Police Department has a budgeted strength of 250 officers.
“Our Cadet Program has given us an effective way to help recruit new officers to the department and assists us in creating a workforce reflective of the community we serve,” said Superintendent Hudon. “This program helps us build and diversify our workforce, and we’re excited to offer it to future cadets as well.”
For more specific information on the requirements of the Cadet Program, and who to contact if you are interested, visit: https://lowellpolice.org/cadet-program/.
