The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Staffordshire Police are celebrating the milestone 2016th Junior Police Cadet.
The Junior Cadets were launched by Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis in June 2014 after the original Cadet scheme for 14 to 17 year-olds proved to be a success.
The Junior Cadet scheme takes place in primary schools for eight to ten year-olds across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Groups of around ten children take part in six one-hour sessions, led by a local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) during school time, covering areas including good behaviour, road safety, school security, police investigations and anti-social behaviour.
Junior Cadets receive their own pocket books to fill in during sessions along with a Junior Police Cadet baseball cap and t-shirt for completing the course.
The scheme is being run at no cost to the children or their schools with all expenses met by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Corporate Social Responsibility Fund, a registered charity which is funded by donations from businesses and individuals.
Matthew Ellis, Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, said: “It’s fantastic that so many primary school children have now become Junior Police Cadets and are enjoying taking part in this fun-packed programme. The scheme is all about teaching young people the importance of being a responsible citizen and looking out for their community.
“PCSOs play such a crucial role in local schools and giving them responsibility for the junior Cadets is strengthening these relationships further and teaching the children that police officers are there to help them.
“The response from the children has been fantastic and it is great to see what a good start to life these youngsters have got.”
Mr Ellis is asking local businesses to get involved and become Patrons or Sponsors to help fund uniforms and equipment for the Cadets. In return for becoming a Patron, businesses’ contributions are recognised through publicity, a framed certificate and other opportunities.
To find out more information on the Junior Police Cadets visit: www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/junior-police-cadets/
