Police cadets
Warwickshire Police cadets is for young people who wish to engage in a programme that offers them an opportunity to gain a practical understanding of policing, develop their spirit of adventure and good citizenship, while supporting their local policing priorities through volunteering, working with partner agencies and positive participation in their communities.
About our cadets
To become a Warwickshire Police cadet you must live or go to school in Warwickshire and be aged 13 to 16 years old on September 1 2024.
We have three units in Warwickshire, one in Nuneaton that covers North Warwickshire and one in Leek Wootton Warwick which covers South Warwickshire.
We have a Junior scheme for Cadets aged 13 to 16 years still at secondary school and a senior scheme for cadets aged 16 to 18 years.
To apply to become Senior cadets you must currently be a year 11 student when applying and would be a cadet for 2 years, whilst in further education.
Seniors cadets aged between 16 to 18 years old meet every Thursday evening in North and South Warwickshire between 6.15pm and 8.30pm.
Junior cadets aged between 13 to 16 years old meet every Tuesday evening in North Warwickshire and Wednesday in South Warwickshire 6.15pm – 8.30pm.
Please contact us at [email protected] or follow us on Twitter if you need any assistance or have any further questions.
Applications open
Applications for our Junior Schemes, North Warwickshire Senior Scheme and South Warwickshire Senior scheme are now closed and will re-open in January 2025.
The final date for applications to be submitted is 15th April 2024.
Application form: https://forms.microsoft.com/e/egVqW32eSg
Being a Police cadet
As a Cadet you will
- make new friendships
- take part in fun and exciting activities
- support your own community through volunteering and social action projects
- challenge yourself to learn and develop new skills
- attend weekly meetings to learn about policing and issues that affect your community
- attend personal safety training, learn about first aid and search techniques and take part in team-building and social activities
- be trained in leadership and conflict resolution
- develop to become a positive role model and advocate for your younger peers
- be part of volunteering activities to prevent crime in your community, such as talking to the public to give them security advice including downloading tracking apps onto smart phones or registering valuables
- gain an insight into British policing
Activities
Your activities will include:
- supporting local policing teams at high profile public
- events delivering crime prevention advice
- visiting vulnerable and elderly care homes
- assisting the public at community events
- mystery shopper activities to kerb the underage sale of alcohol, knives, fireworks and cigarettes
Each year we have a five-day residential stay at an outdoor activity centre, where Cadets take taking part in a whole range of exciting and daring activities.
Warwickshire Police cadets will be a perfect opportunity to meet new people, make friends, improve your life skills and volunteer in your community. You will gain a lot from the Police cadets and being able to put it on your CV will make you stand out to any employer.
FAQs
Browse our frequently asked questions for more information.
You don't need any experience, skills or qualifications to be a cadet. All we ask is that you commit to attending regularly, and strive to improve yourself and your local community.
All potential cadets will be vetted. The purpose of this vetting is not to routinely preclude any young person from membership but rather to allow the cadet leaders to manage any potential risk that is highlighted.
We are only able to offer places to young people living in Warwickshire. Each cadet unit is linked to a policing area, of which there are two in Warwickshire, and young people wishing to join should be resident within that policing area. If you live outside Warwickshire, please contact your local police force to see if they run a cadet scheme. You can do this by calling in at your local police station or contacting the force through its website.
We currently do not offer open evenings. At times of recruitment we hold session where you can come and meet Leaders and Cadets to help with your application.
There are other volunteering opportunities within Warwickshire Police including the Special constabulary and Police support volunteers.
Alternative options to police cadets are the service cadet schemes within the
- Army
- Air
- Sea
or other youth uniform organisations, such as the
- Scouts
- Guides
- Boys' Brigade Girls' Brigade
- St John Ambulance
There should be local provision in your area offering excellent activities and opportunities for young people. Additionally you may wish to contact your local council about other youth provision in your area.
Units meet once a week in the evening and are additionally involved in activities at weekends and during school holidays.
Even though the cadets are a voluntary organisation we do ask cadets to give a small amount of money to the unit through weekly subscriptions. This will be used to cover some basic expenses in running the cadet scheme.
However, if individuals have particular financial difficulties then a resolution can be discussed through with the local leaders.
There is no specific equipment you need in order to join the cadets. We provide a uniform to cadets at no cost, however you will have to provide black shoes/boots. We recommend bringing a pen and pad to write down notes and to take in information when at cadet meetings or events.
You will need to speak to the leaders to arrange to go along.
Joining the Cadets will provide you with an insight into policing, however, it will not specifically assist your application.
In most cases the answer to this is yes. However, each case will be considered on merit.
Police cadets, help and assist in the community by getting involved in stewarding in local events such as fairs, town shows, carnivals and other local events. We also assist in high profile events in your areas.
During your time as a Cadet you will be expected to follow a structured development programme.
Contact us
To find out where your local unit is, or to know more about becoming a Cadet, please email [email protected]