RTD continues police cadet program for a second year

Transit Police cadet Nicole Mendoza shares why the program is meaningful 

For the second consecutive year, the RTD Transit Police department (RTD-PD) is offering a cadet program for full-time college students in the Denver metro area pursuing a criminal justice or related degree. The program, spearheaded by RTD-PD Chief of Police and Emergency Management Steve Martingano, allows police cadets to gain insight about day-to-day transit police work and obtain skills essential for a career in public safety or as an officer. For 2025, three police cadets are participating in RTD’s program. One cadet, Nicole Mendoza, already plans to apply for a role with RTD-PD at the program’s conclusion.

Mendoza is currently a senior at Metropolitan State University of Denver, set to graduate in December with a major in cybersecurity and minors in criminal justice and psychology. Her goal is to work in federal law enforcement, and the RTD-PD cadet program seemed like the perfect opportunity to help her get there.

Mendoza grew up in Denver using RTD services. “I always use RTD, and Zero Fare for Youth is great,” she said. “I had no idea RTD had a police department until an officer, Leon Duran, who is an MSU Denver alum, connected with me and told me about it, and said to apply for the cadet program. I wouldn’t be here without him.”

Mendoza started her internship in June and is anticipated to be with the agency until November. She has gotten hands-on experience and a firsthand look into what it takes to be a police officer.

“I’ve done ride-alongs and have seen arrests up close,” Mendoza said. “I have seen evidence collection and the processes they go through each day. I ride with the same officers each shift and listening to them communicate on the radio is the best, the way they call their positions, and use certain codes.”

“I’m learning so much, and it’s really opening my eyes.”

Mendoza believes the police cadet program is not only helpful for her career goals, but also important for her personal growth. “In the short time I’ve been here, I have met so many people and found connections,” she said. “I have a sense of belonging. This is such an important place for me.”

She continued: “The cadet program is so unique. It’s something new, something fresh. It’s very exciting to see how the department is coming together and experiencing it from this perspective, while also being able to experience policing from a transit perspective.”

Mendoza had a professor who is an ex-director of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), and his stories inspired her to focus on criminal justice and investigative work. Her interest in psychology and law enforcement stems not only from her former professor, but also from research she has done on her own, and her passion for representation.

“None of my friends or family work in law enforcement, and I was never in that environment,” she said. “The reason I want to be here is to break the cycle and make a name for myself. I will be the first person in my family to get my bachelor’s degree. I am Latina, I am female, I am first-gen, and I want to be able to represent my family and my background. The cadet program has been perfect for that.”

Outside of the RTD cadet program, Mendoza remains busy as a peer mentor at MSU, advising first-year students and helping them get engaged on campus. She is also an administrative intern at the U.S. Marshal Service at their downtown Denver location, helping with documents, attending court hearings and learning more about government and law.

Once she graduates from the program, Mendoza intends on attending the police academy and receiving her Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. She hopes to return to RTD as a police officer and work with the same officers she has been learning from.

“This is an amazing place to be and a great environment to learn in,” Mendoza said. “Thanks to Sgt. Daiker, Lt. Cross and Cmdr. Cousineau for the opportunity to be part of this program. If anyone is interested in law enforcement, whether it’s a cop or detective or even dispatch, they should apply. It really is the best thing that has happened to me.”