Police cadets in the United Kingdom
The purpose of the VPC is not to recruit police officers of the future, but to encourage the spirit of adventure and good citizenship among its members.
The aims of the VPC are: Police cadets were introduced in 1948, consisting of full-time frontline employees who were aged 16–19; changes were made to the new system in 1959.
These Police Cadets had no powers of arrest but were able to assist their senior colleagues in many practical matters, such as taking statements, directing traffic, or offering crime prevention advice, as well as observing the work of their supervisors.
[1][2] They initially served two 'school terms' at Hendon and then transferred to another establishment at Ashford Kent until the first 'term' after their 18th birthday when they were attached to one of four Cadet Centres at Kingsbury, Sunbury, Norwood and Wanstead.
This was part of a wider transformation of the former RAF Hendon, with a new housing estate begun in 1970 and the new Peel Centre opened for police training in 1974.
In 1980 the ITV television network aired The Squad, a drama series which followed the fictional adventures of Metropolitan Police Cadets.
It was a community initiative that was supported by Commissioner Peter Imbert, who wanted to engage with young people.
The first documented Volunteer Police Cadet unit started in South Norwood (Lambeth) in March 1988.
The VPC is supported by a team, led by Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer of Devon & Cornwall Police.
They support the VPC through funding; developing resources and training; producing opportunities for cadets and leaders.
In addition cadets develop their leadership skills by undertaking challenging social action projects in their communities with an expectation that they will volunteer three hours a month.
Examples of these projects include supporting older members of the community in understanding cybercrime, fundraising for charities and road safety campaigns.
Cadets learn about: VPC teams also take part in many events and activities in their communities, such as the London Marathon, Notting Hill Carnival, Remembrance Sunday and Armed Forces Day parades.
Undercover cadets have been used to test if shops are willing to sell alcohol, tobacco, vapes and weapons to underage customers.
[4] They may also assist policing at large public events and provide crime prevention advice to local residents and businesses.
In Cambridgeshire, cadets usually wear a black polo shirt (and fleece depending on conditions), trousers and boots, with the force crest on the upper left side of the polo shirt and fleece; on certain occasions, a white long- or short-sleeve shirt is worn with a light blue tie and epaulettes (embroidered with "Volunteer Police Cadet"); when outdoors, a black peaked cap with a blue band is worn (the same as PCSOs) - female cadets used to be issued with similar bowler hats.
In 2018, Hampshire, Thames Valley Police, Sussex and Surrey standardised on uniforms and rank slides within the South East region.
The PSYV is not part of the Volunteer Police Cadets framework, but is listed as a partner agency and carries out similar work.
However, the Annual Cadet Competition continues a long tradition at the Gravesend public order site.
In 2011, Mayor Boris Johnson supported expanding the Metropolitan Police VPC by calling for numbers to be doubled by 2015.
