Police Cadets are back in the West Midlands!

The voluntary youth scheme last operated across the region in 1998 but, as part of his police and crime plan, Commissioner David Jamieson championed their return as a key link between West Midlands Police and the younger generation.

September 2017 saw the new-look WMP Cadets launch in Birmingham and Sandwell, with other areas of the West Midlands set to come on board over the course of the next year.

Cadet units are aligned to local schools, with Washwood Heath Academy, Saltley Academy, Holte School, Shireland Academy and Holly Lodge Science College the first to welcome WMP Cadets.

The cadets scheme recruits 13-15 year olds from a diverse range of backgrounds to learn about policing and represent West Midlands Police. Unlike its predecessor, this scheme is not just a recruitment tool, but about creating active citizens, engaging with our communities, and giving our young people opportunities to build brighter futures. WMP Cadets operates every week during term time, with cohorts of up to thirty cadets per unit across the force area.

Each unit follows a curriculum set by the national body, Volunteer Police Cadets, alongside force-specific talks and demonstrations, volunteering in the local community, and even deployment at events such as Remembrance Day and Birmingham Pride.

If you are a young person or know a young person who would like to be a Cadet, there will be the opportunity to join WMP Cadets in the future. Watch out for further announcements.

The force will be opening applications to adults to join as volunteer Cadet Leaders shortly. Each volunteer will have access to a variety of professional development opportunities and the chance to have a positive influence in the lives of our young people. The programme will also provide them with a great insight into the force and could well prove to be a pathway to joining us as a police officer recruit in the future.

It doesn’t matter where you live or work if you want to volunteer to be a Cadet Leader.  Volunteers will be needed throughout the region to get the scheme up and running.  If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, please contact Abigail Simkin, the Cadets implementation manager, at cadets@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk with details of your location and availability.