{"id":2512,"date":"2019-04-24T17:38:19","date_gmt":"2019-04-24T16:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/imo\/?p=2512"},"modified":"2023-02-14T12:48:24","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T12:48:24","slug":"volunteer-police-cadets-adventure-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk\/imo\/careers\/volunteer-police-cadets-adventure-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteer Police Cadets: Adventure, community and a CV they\u2019ll salute you for"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

When we speak to teenagers about the police they sometimes tell us that they don\u2019t trust them. Some kids feel that the police target them unfairly and there is a \u201cthem against us\u201d mentality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But teenagers have also told us that they want to see more police out and about to make them feel safer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it\u2019s complicated. But did you know loads of teenagers across the country are changing their minds about the police by becoming a Volunteer Police Cadet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an amazing way to make friends, learn loads of new skills and it sets you up for all sorts of different career options afterwards – not just in the police, but tons of different industries will be wowed by your volunteering skills and new-found confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you want your CV to stand out from the crowd while having awesome adventures and helping others \u2013 Police Cadets might be for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is it? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Volunteer Police Cadets programme provides an opportunity for young people aged 13-17 to get involved in activities which support community policing and learn about responsible citizenship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Cadet, you’ll undergo training and take part in voluntary work with the police in your local community. You’ll develop key life skills and enhance your opportunities for further education, training and employment \u2013 whether this is within the police service or another profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what\u2019s it like? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s very inclusive. There is no one they\u2019ve said no to. Some young people have even been in trouble with the police, but they were still welcomed \u2013 and haven\u2019t been in trouble with the police since!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every week is different. Sometimes they will be working towards their first aid training, other times they will be tidying care homes for the elderly or working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the night we visited, the cadets were practising skills they would use in a real-life police situation. Two of the older cadets pretended to be involved in a knife crime and the rest of the cadets had to seal off the area, find the weapon and interview witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What do they say about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to four cadets called Callum, Riess, Mafalda and Sophie. They\u2019re aged between 13-17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Callum said he\u2019s always wanted to join the police and becoming a cadet has given him a sense of community and pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, being a cadet has changed Riess\u2019 mind about the police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was scared of the police, I found them intimidating. But being in the cadets means I\u2019ve met more of them, it shows a different side to them, a more human side. Now I\u2019m less intimidated and scared by them and have a much better view of them.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And he\u2019s excited to use his skills once he leaves \u2013 there are so many opportunities within the police for him to choose from. Dog handlers, driving patrol cars, solving crimes, public order work \u2013 there\u2019s so much more to policing than meets the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the police you can do what you want. There are so many opportunities, you can do anything after your two probationary years the world is your oyster.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confidence is yours<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just new skills. All these cadets feel they\u2019ve changed for the better as people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Callum told us it was nerve-wracking to start but it\u2019s built up a lot of confidence in him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mafalda said, \u201cNowadays I just don\u2019t hesitate to take up a challenge. I put myself out there all the time. I\u2019m not afraid to raise my hand or volunteer for things.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All round support <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sophie told us how being a volunteer cadet has given her the confidence to come out of her shell and make new friends. But the staff also give her emotional support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Riess puts it \u201cI know I could go to anyone here for help or if there was something I was worried about. It\u2019s a great feeling.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How much?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re uniform is free. You pay about \u00a32.50 a week, but they will consider you whatever your financial situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I get involved?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost all local police forces have run a volunteer cadet programme. They\u2019re often on social media, so search for them there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or visit their website<\/a> and search your local area there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to make new friends, do some good in your community and make your CV irresistible to employers, give the police cadets a go. For these teenagers, it was life-changing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When we speak to teenagers about the police they sometimes tell us that they don\u2019t trust them. Some kids feel that the police target them unfairly and there is a \u201cthem against us\u201d mentality. But teenagers have also told us that they want to see more police out and about to make them feel safer. 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