Primary school children are signing up for the exciting new Staffordshire Police Junior Cadets scheme which celebrated its first graduation ceremony in Stoke-on-Trent today (Fri).
The original Cadet scheme, for 14 to 17-year-olds, was initiated in 2013 by Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis to strengthen links between police and young people and promote good citizenship. Successful units are already up and running in Cannock, Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent with more soon to follow.
The programme is now expanding with junior Cadet schemes being launched in primary schools for eight to ten-year-olds across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The first group graduated at a special passing-out parade at Heron Cross Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent this afternoon.
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. At the end of each course, junior Cadets receive certificates at the graduation ceremony.
They also get 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.
Mr Ellis said: “In just over 12 months the Cadets scheme has already made a real difference to the lives of around 100 young people – some from challenging backgrounds.
“It’s fantastic that primary school children are now becoming junior Cadets and taking part in a fun-packed programme which teaches them how to become responsible citizens.
“PCSOs already play a crucial role in local schools and giving them responsibility for the junior Cadets will only strengthen these relationships further.
“We’re working with the force to meet our aim of having at least one junior Cadet scheme in every local policing area so that as many children can benefit as possible.”
Staffordshire’s Chief Constable Mike Cunningham added: “The Cadets have been a fantastic addition to our police family and we have been working very closely with the PCC to see how we could develop a scheme for younger members of our community.
“I have to pay tribute to PCSO Paul Washington from Stoke South Local Policing Team, who has taken forward the development of the Junior Cadets by working to understand the needs of the younger children, resulting in a scheme we are very proud of. The Junior Cadets programme will now begin to roll-out across Staffordshire and we hope this work will help us in engaging with young people even more in the future.”
Businesses are being invited to become Patrons and Sponsors to fund the Cadets Service. In return for becoming a Patron, businesses’ contributions are recognised through publicity, a framed certificate and other opportunities. For more details visit www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/police-cadets
Below is a short video featuring the Junior Cadets.
