British Police Cadets

The term police cadets has two meanings in the United Kingdom. It may refer to the Police Cadet scheme which allows young adults to serve on the payroll of their local police in a virtual apprenticeship, leading (in most cases) to subsequent enrollment as a full-time officer: police constable. This scheme was phased out in most English and Welsh police forces between 1990 and 1995, but is still active in Scotland. "Police cadet" may also refer to the more recent (post-1995) volunteer police cadet youth organisation, one that works policing, under the general supervision of the local police force in England, Wales and Scotland.

The Police Cadet schemes still operate in England & Wales. Police Cadets never had the powers of a Police Constable but were employed by police forces to work alongside regular Constables, learning about police work in a practical and 'hands-on' environment. Working as a Police Cadet in this way usually went alongside a more classroom-based training. On operational duty, despite having no powers of arrest, they were able to assist their more 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. Applications were accepted from the age of 16, and full-time paid Police Cadet service continued until the age of 19, by which time a Cadet would either apply for training as a Constable, or leave the police force. Police Cadet Schemes are mostly involved with the National Police Cadet Scheme 'Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme' in most cases. The biggest Police Cadet Force is the Met Police and out of the met police areas Thames Valley Police have the biggest Cadet scheme.

In most cases, Police Cadets do not go out on duty without an Officer present unless given permission by an Inspector. Due to Health and Safety Regulations Police cadets are not allowed to go on duty where they carry 'High-Risk Events'.

The Police Cadet uniform was, in most force areas, identical to the uniform of regular constables, with two exceptions. Firstly, Cadets wore a peaked cap with a blue band (as opposed to the police black and white Sillitoe Tartan design), and never wore a police helmet; and secondly, they wore a "Police Cadet" shoulder flash/badge on their tunics.

Many of the most senior policemen in the United Kingdom, including many recent Commissioners of the Metropolitan Police Service, Commissioners of the City of London Police, and County Chief Constables, started their careers as full-time Police Cadets. Appointment as a Constable was never guaranteed, but service as a Police Cadet was a significant advantage in the selection process and appears to have provided a solid basis for the subsequent careers of many senior police officers.

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Wikipedia