While the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) relocated its state headquarters to Boulder in 2021, no formal relationship has existed between the campus and community members. Boulder resident Tammy Burk has taken it upon herself to rectify this situation by establishing the Adopt-a-Cadet program, which pairs incoming MHP cadet class members with local families. MHP cadets will have dinner with their host families twice a month, and be provided with additional support as they complete their training in Boulder.
“I just wanted for cadets to feel more at home in our town,” said Burk. “With just a little effort, we can really invite them in, and show them what this community is like. Adopt-a-Cadet will also help our children see officers in a different, friendlier light than is often portrayed in the media these days, which I think is really important.”
Burk partnered with MHP Academy Sgt. Christopher Benson, who is responsible for facilitating and coordinating basic training on the Boulder campus, to get the program formally approved by Highway Patrol leadership. Cadets will complete a personal survey describing their personalities and food preferences before being paired with a local family, who will then support the cadet through 12 weeks of training. A cadet class can have as many as 15 participants, and often come to Boulder from distant locales.
