The purpose of the LAPD Cadet Program is to help instill discipline, leadership, academic excellence and life-skills in all youth participants. The LAPD Cadet Program also seeks to empower students to maximize their personal, scholastic and their life potential.

It has four principle goals:
To recruit young men and women who are interested in building positive relationships between police and the youth of our communities. To provide a forum in which young people can provide community service while working with law enforcement. To provide character-training, public-speaking and academic instruction that prepares young people for their future. To offer physical training that will result in improved physical fitness for all who participate.