Volunteer police cadets
What is the Volunteer Police Cadet Programme?
Cheshire Constabulary volunteer cadet scheme involves young people between the ages of 15-17 and offers learning in relation to policing and crime. Cadets take part in various police related activities such as crime prevention, community events, visits to specialist units and awareness of local crime-based priorities.
Our Cadets engage in meaningful activity facilitated by positive role models, increase their knowledge of policing, breaking down any actual or perceived barriers between young people and the police.
Many of our Cadets come from backgrounds vulnerable to crime or social exclusion, the scheme prides itself in being inclusive of those with diverse needs. The scheme comprises several cadet units, each involving around 14 young people and led by a mix of Police Officers, Police Staff and Police Support Volunteers. As part of our policing family, our cadets are required to observe the highest standards of behaviour in line with the Cadet Code of Conduct and the Police Code of Ethics.
All our cadet units have an educational establishment or community hub as its base, close to public transport links making it accessible for all young people to attend. Our cadets reflect the diverse nature of their local community participating in:
- Developing life skills
- Meeting new friends
- Social events
- Learning about policing
- Confidence building activities
- Opportunities to become cadet leaders of the future
The scheme does not focus on recruiting future police officers but aims to provide all young people a unique opportunity to be involved, support their community, and develop skills to become fantastic citizens in a fun, friendly and exciting way.
Protecting children and young people in our care is our primary focus and at the heart of everything we do. Our scheme is fully aligned to the National VPC “Safe to Operate Standards” as agreed by the National Police Chiefs' Council.
We work alongside the National Safeguarding Manager who is responsible for maintaining contact with police forces about this critical responsibility, including the standards and codes of conduct expected at a national level.
The public expect and deserve to have trust and confidence in the police, everything we do is aimed at providing the safest environment and highest safeguarding standards for our young people.
Our aim is to reach out to as many young people as possible, offering them valuable life skills and support them to maximise their future potential to become outstanding members of their communities.
For further information please email [email protected]
Potential cadets can request to attend a session to see what it is like by emailing [email protected]