During term times, we meet on a weekday evening for a two-hour training session. Additionally, there are various external community events throughout the year, where you will be invited to assist local policing and community initiatives.
Volunteer police cadets
Being a cadet is a chance for you to show the positive contribution you can make to your community.
Our cadets join us for lots of reasons. As well as having fun and meeting new people, it's also a great way to:
- Gain new skills and experience
- Learn about policing
- Make a difference in your local community
- Take part in all kinds of activities - from patrolling local events, charity events, to adventure activities.
Being a cadet can help you develop various skills, such as:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
- First aid
- How to plan and deliver a presentation
- CV, interview and application form techniques
As a cadet, you'll get a great insight into the police, the work we do and gain some skills along the way.
We are recruiting Volunteer Police Cadets at this time.
Testaments
Cadets:
VPC493 Hughes
‘I joined the cadets to get more confidence and make new friends and improve my people skills. I joined to gain more knowledge and experience in preparation for me applying to join the police when I leave school.’
‘I enjoy meeting new people the most and listening to guest speakers on interesting topics.’
‘I think the police cadets is going to have a very positive impact for my future career.’
VPC488 Watts
‘I joined the cadets as I have always wanted to be in the Police. My sister is a cadet and has loved it.
I have only just joined but I am really enjoying so far. I know it offers lots of opportunities as I have seen my sister become High Sheriff cadet.’
‘I would expect the experience would offer me a taste of workings for the police as this is what I want to do. I aim to go into the mounted unit or dog handling but I would also like something in analysis.’
Leaders:
V00643 Rolls – “Every cadet has potential. As a Cadet Leader, you have the opportunity to encourage, support and inspire young people to achieve more than they thought possible."
V00629 Aldridge - “Helping cadets develop practical skills, resilience and leadership, doesn’t just shape the programme! It can open doors for their future education and career prospects too. You’re not just leading activities; you’re helping to shape futures”
What is the Volunteer Police Cadet programme?
The volunteer police cadets is a diverse group of young people aged 13-18, who have a joint desire to support their local communities and gain a practical understanding of policing.
Units meet at North Wales Police buildings once a week (During school term) and are led by volunteer police officers, police staff and other volunteers. In addition, cadets develop their leadership skills by undertaking challenging social action projects in their communities throughout the calendar year.
These projects include activities such as supporting older members of the community in understanding cyber-crime, fundraising for charities and road safety campaigns.
We welcome cadets from any background, social group, gender, ethnicity, ability/disability and whether you have an interest in the police or not.
What to expect as a police cadet?
To become a volunteer police cadet you must:
- be aged between 13 and 16 to apply
- complete all questions on the application forms
To be a volunteer police cadet you should:
- have an interest in police work or your community
- be able to promote equality and diversity
- be willing to make a positive contribution to your community
- promote the Police Cadet programme and North Wales Police positively
As a volunteer police cadet, you will engage in various duties alongside our neighbourhood and prevent teams such as:
- assisting at large events such as the Urdd Eisteddfod and local events like Mold Carnival
- creating vehicle safety initiatives
- giving out crime reduction leaflets about various local and national campaigns
- taking part in various operations such as Op SCEPTRE, assisting NWP teams by conducting test purchasing
- assisting with the Force Open Days
- assisting in the training of newly recruited officers & staff
- helping at sports events and community fun days
- taking part in Remembrance Sunday and civic parades
- raising money for charities in a variety of ways
Yes, you can. We try to be as inclusive as possible. We will always support you to the best of our ability and make any reasonable adjustments for your health and comfort.
Throughout your time in cadets. You will receive various inputs from internal depts such as traffic policing, dog unit and drone team. You will also receive inputs from our external partners such as RNLI, Border force and mountain rescue. You will receive various topic-based inputs such as cyber security, traffic, weapons, substances etc. Additionally, throughout you will learn skills such as first aid, self-defence, and leadership.
- Making new friendships
- Taking part in fun and exciting activities
- Supporting your community through volunteering and social action projects
- Challenging yourself to learn and develop new skills
- Help with your CV when you're ready to start work
- An insight into British policing
Meetings are held within North Wales police premises or local colleges. You will attend one of these closest to where you live.
There is space for up to 30 cadets at each unit. Currently we have units in these policing areas:
- Wrexham
- Colwyn Bay
- Bangor (Not currently operational)
Yes, we'll provide you with:
- trousers
- operational top
- microfleece
- cap & woollen hat
- high-visibility jacket
- black boots
There is additional uniform for High Sheriff cadets.
There are no costs to join or weekly subscriptions. There is no cost for your uniform, provided you take care of it and return at the end of your cadet journey. All we ask is for you to bring your enthusiasm and be willing to contribute to the activities.
You may wish to bring pocket money for food and drinks at any external events.
You can apply to join Cadets as long as you are between 13 to 17 years old at the time of starting cadets.
Cadets stay in a unit for 2 years. Dependant on your age of joining us, you could remain after this time as a senior cadet, but may not stay past your 18th birthday.
If you would like to continue with the Cadets once you are 18 or older you can apply to become an adult cadet leader, as long you have the skills required.
Vacancies for this post are advertised on our website when they are available. You will also be made aware of opportunities and able to apply for roles from 17 ½ years of age.
Yes, you may still join. We do not have a formal vetting process, and we do not judge people on their family background. it’s where you are going and your future which interests us!
We welcome cadets from any background, social group, gender, ethnicity, ability/disability, and whether you have an interest in the police or not.
We welcome young people who may have previously been in trouble with the police or may feel disconnected from their peers and community.
We're not looking to recruit future police officers, but want to give all young people a chance to be heard, support the community and develop skills to become fantastic citizens in a fun, friendly and exciting way.
There is nothing else like the Cadets - it is a unique experience for young people to become part of the policing family for many years.
Information for parents and guardians
The safety and wellbeing of our cadets is our number one priority.
Who are the cadet leaders?
Cadet leaders include police officers, police community support officers, special constables, members of police staff and police support volunteers.
We put all adults working with our cadets through a thorough vetting procedure. Their induction training as cadet leaders includes safeguarding training and they are given clear guidance on how to work with young people, as well as the behaviour and standards expected of them as cadet leaders.
What safety measures are in place for the activities cadets do?
All activities our cadets take part in are risk assessed. Whenever they are out on activities within the community they are always under the supervision of their cadet leaders.
Cadets will not be deployed if a risk assessment indicates any risk of conflict or confrontation. If that risk should arise during a deployment, cadets will be withdrawn from it immediately.
Outdoor adventure activities are only led by staff or contractors who are certificated and competent to lead and run such activities. Anyone leading outdoor adventure activities will be required to produce insurance documents and qualifications for supervising that type of activity before it takes place.
What is the aim of the cadet scheme?
Our aim is to:
- inspire young people to participate in their communities and make a positive contribution
- encourage a sense of adventure and good citizenship
- provide a practical understanding of policing
- engage young people (including those at risk of entering the criminal justice system or being socially excluded) in activities that encourage them to develop socially and academically
- help develop personal and leadership skills through a variety of experiences, including the opportunity of volunteering in the community
If you have any questions about the cadet scheme, contact us by emailing [email protected]
&w=1024&h=404&scale=both&mode=max)