PCC supports police cadets

Encouraging young people to become positive advocates for law and order, ranks highly in Tim Passmore’s ambition to make Suffolk as safer place in which to live, work, travel and invest.

In his Police and Crime Plan, Suffolk’s first Police and Crime Commissioner expressed his wish to extend the successful Police Cadet scheme across the county and today (June 3) he formally agreed to fund the setting up of new Cadet schemes in Babergh, Haverhill, Forest Heath, Mid Suffolk and Suffolk Coastal.

“I have seen first-hand the positive impact that being a Cadet has had on young people involved in existing units and I was anxious to get this rolled out across the county as soon as possible.

“The Cadet motto ‘it’s not where you’ve come from; it’s where you’re going that counts’ perfectly encapsulates the aim of the organisation, which is to help young people become good citizens. All too often young people make a wrong choice as a teenager and this limits their choices in the future.” 

Tim explains, “By showing the young people how to make positive life choices it is hoped that they will become good citizens and develop leadership qualities that will help them to become more confident and principled adults.”

At present there are four Cadet units based in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Lowestoft and Martlesham. The plan is to develop five new schemes across the county, which will be rolled out from March 2014 to April 2015.

Cadets are aged 13-17, they wear a smart uniform, provided by the Constabulary and they meet weekly, including during school holidays. They take part in a variety of activities, similar to scouts and army cadets and they also support the Constabulary at events such as the Suffolk Show, town fairs, carnivals and charity events.

Tim added, “The key to the success of the Cadets is a reliable and enthusiastic team of volunteer leaders; without the support and commitment of these leaders we would not be able to keep the scheme going. 

“In my police and crime plan I committed my support to the Cadets and pledged to expand and improve the scheme. To achieve this I have set aside money to fund a dedicated resource to provide support to existing leaders, to recruit leaders for the five new units and to identify external funding and sponsorship opportunities. I believe this small investment will help to develop and secure the Cadet scheme for the future.”

The PCC has allocated £15,000 from the Corporate Reserve to fund this extension of the Cadet scheme. The budget will fund a part-time liaison manager to plan and over-see the five new Cadets groups as well as provide support, guidance and direction to the existing units.