Wisbech Volunteer Police Cadets pass out with pride

FOURTEEN Volunteer Police Cadets became the pride of Cambridgeshire last night (Wednesday, 10^th February) during a ceremony to mark the completion of their training.

The youngsters, all aged between 13 and 16, took their service oath in front of a crowd of distinguished guests including Chief Constable Alec Wood and Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Graham Bright  at the formal passing out ceremony at The Boathouse Business Centre in Wisbech.

The unit is the fourth to join the policing family, following schemes in Peterborough, affiliated with the Thomas Deacon Academy, Soham, affiliated with Soham Village College and Meadowgate School, also in Wisbech.

The ceremony followed an intensive 13-week induction programme which has prepared the cadets for community safety work within their local communities. Topics covered during the course included crime prevention, local policing and being a good citizen.  The volunteering work can also count towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Unit Coordinator, Sergeant Caroline Scully said:

“The Volunteer Police Cadet scheme gives these young people the chance to volunteer in their communities in a safe and organised way. It has been an honour and a privilege to work with such a committed and enthusiastic group of young people. The entire group has impressed me with their dedication to learning as well as their maturity when meeting members of the public and I am really looking forward to watching them continue to reach their full potential.”

Sir Graham said: “I am immensely proud to welcome our latest Volunteer Police Cadets and offer my warmest congratulations to them on completing their training.  These young people have been on quite a journey over the last 13 weeks.  Speaking to them, I know they have learned a lot about themselves, about policing and about their local communities. It only takes the actions of a small number of young people to make a difference and instigate positive changes and I’m confident that together we will transform many more young people’s lives through this innovative scheme.  I would also like to thank all those volunteers that have given up their time to help run the scheme and train the Cadets on the many different aspects of policing and community safety.  It is their dedication that makes the Volunteer Police Cadets possible.”

Now that training is complete the Cadets will be devoting at least three hours per month to volunteering in their local communities through activities such as supporting police teams at public events, delivering crime prevention advice to the public and carrying out mystery shopper activities for age-restricted items.

Plans are under development for new units in Cambourne and Cambridge City due to launch in February and applicants for both are encouraged to get in touch.

For more information contact email: cadets@cambs.pnn.police.uk.