British Police Cadets

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Traditionally young people in the United Kingdom from the age of 16 could apply to join a Police Force as a full time and paid Police cadet (if that Force operated such a scheme), the Police Cadets were seen as a precursor to joining the Police at 19, although there was no compulsion for any cadet to do so.

The biggest and most well known cadet scheme was that operated by the Metropolitan Police Service which had its own Police Cadet Training centre. Life as a Police Cadet involved continuing further education (studying for A-levels), learning about the police service which included attachments to Divisions and Specialist departments, First Aid, Community work/projects which include working with the disabled and disadvantaged groups, all cadets were encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and all schemes included an element of Outdoor Experience course involving: rock climbing, Kayaking/canoeing, Hillwalking and Navigation.

Smaller Police forces such as Hertfordshire would normally sponsor one student cadet per division.

Police Cadets never had the powers of a Police Constable.

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[edit] Police Cadet uniform

The Police cadet uniform was identical to uniform of regular constables with the exception that they wore a peaked cap with a blue band and they would have a police cadet bananna flash/badge on the shoulders of their tunics.

[edit] Disbanding

Most Police Cadet schemes were closed around 1990 due to budget cuts.

[edit] Police careers

Many of the most senior policemen in the UK (Commissioners of Metropolitan Police Service, City of London, and Chief Constables) started their careers as full time Police cadets. This does not however offer you a place for certain but it will help with the selection process.

[edit] Police Cadets in popular culture

During 1980 ITV aired The Squad which followed the fictional adventures of Metropolitan Police Cadets.

[edit] Volunteer Police Cadets

In the UK, there are a number of Volunteer Police Cadet schemes for young people aged between 14 and 18. These groups are designed to provide a sense of what it is like to be a police officer, by getting cadets involved in various police related activities, such as crime prevention projects. Some forces allow cadets to go out on patrol with Police Officers or PCSO's once they reach 16.

There are no formal entry requirements in most forces to become a cadet, however in all forces cadets must not have a criminal record, and this is checked prior to joining.

Following the demise of the full time cadet scheme, one of the first Volunteer Police Cadet schemes was launched in Cambridgeshire. These cadets wore a similar uniform to the old full time cadets but were issued with a Navy blue Police sweater instead of a tunic. In Hertfordshire a Volunteer Cadet Scheme was launched at Force Headquarters, this scheme was predominantly based on sporting activities or the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. It was non uniformed but cadets were issued with a light blue V neck sweater which had the county emblem (non police) embroided on it. In North Wales a force wide Volunteer Cadet Scheme was launched to support the Police at non-confrontational events. These Cadets are issued with uniform similar to regular officers but with green and white checks.

Once a year, police cadets representing forces from all over the country spend a weekend at Hendon Police College, in North London, for the annual National Police Cadet Competitions. This involves cadets competing in a range of police activities and scenarios, in which they are assessed. Prizes are given out at the end of the weekend for the best performing forces. In 2006, the Metropolitan Police announced that the National Cadet Competition was no longer to be held at Hendon due to operational and financial reasons. It is unknown at this time if another force will offer a similar establishment for use.

[edit] Schemes in operation

[edit] External links