CINCINNATI, Ohio—As our country continues to fight back against police brutality, the Cincinnati Police Department is working to make sure they build a lasting relationship with the youth in the community. 

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Being a police officer might not be the first thing a high school student dreams to be. But for these 38 Cincinnati high school aged kids, it’s most definitely a passion.

“I don’t just set out to be a police officer at some point in time, I will be the chief in Cincinnati," seven-time cadet Jaeden Ibbott said. "That’s my end goal, that’s what I want to do.”

The Cincinnati Police Summer Cadet program began on Monday, training students to represent the community as officers would. Police Chief Eliot Isaac says this is the perfect opportunity to continue the conversation of what’s happening in our country.

“Especially right now with what our city and our nation are going through," Chief Isaac said. "This is an opportunity that these young people get to see first hand the work that our officers do.”

The program is a summer job for these cadets, and involves a rigorous application process. But once they get through, they have the opportunity to serve the community in multiple ways and understand exactly how the police department works, all while creating a relationship with the officers.

“They are understanding," first-time cadet Catherine Riede said. "They do have a really tough job and a lot of rules to enforce. But I think getting a relationship with police is really important for kids my age.”

“It gives us that opportunity to connect with young people and that’s something we’re always looking for that opportunity to do," Chief Isaac said.

For some of these cadets, it’s not their first rodeo. Ibbott has been in the program seven times, because he knows he wants to be a part of the Cincinnati Police Department once he’s old enough.

“Being in the cadet program is history," Ibbott said. "Wearing this uniform is just such a great feeling. Wearing in this uniform is like your name is a brand but as far as Cincinnati Police wearing this uniform you’re one of the best officers in the nation. You’re one of the best people in the nation.”

And while only a small amount of cadets actually do become police officers, Chief Isaac predicts many of them will be leaders in the city one day and hopes this experience will make a lasting impact.

“When they’re the mayor or they’re the police chief they’ll remember this experience, remember what they learned," Chief Isaac said. "And then hopefully help them make the best decisions for our community and our city.”