Commissioner set to meet Peterborough’s volunteer police cadets

CAMBRIDGESHIRE Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Graham Bright will today be joining the county’s first volunteer police cadets at their weekly meeting.

The 33 young people, aged between 14 and 16, attend a pilot scheme based at Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough every Wednesday afternoon.

This will only be the second time the cadets have met following the introduction of the scheme by Sir Graham at the Peterborough academy.

Peterborough’s Area Commander Superintendent Tony Ixer will also be there to watch the youngsters practice drill and learn more about policing in the county from the team of volunteer police and academy cadet leaders.

The Scheme is designed to engage young people with the police and encourage them to make a positive contribution to their communities, something which Sir Graham is committed to. “I want to ensure young people have positive role models and experiences to help them as they grow and develop,” he said.

“It is clear that volunteer police cadets is something many young people want to become involved in as we have been overwhelmed by the response; both from would-be cadets and volunteer cadet leaders. This is of course really good news. My Volunteer Co-ordinator, Hannah Watson, has been working really hard to ensure that all the best practice from other cadet schemes across the country has been brought on board for Peterborough to ensure it is the best it can be,” he added.

Julie Taylor, CEO and Principle of The Thomas Deacon Academy said: “I am delighted that the police cadet scheme has been launched at Thomas Deacon Academy. Students are very proud of being a police cadet and regard this as an excellent opportunity to understand better the work of the police and to get involved in activities that will have a positive impact in our community.”

The young people will take part in a nine-week induction programme before being issued with their full uniform ready for their attestation ceremony in January 2015.