Suffolk Police Cadets
Suffolk Police’s volunteer police cadets are an important part of the police family.
Their role is to help progress current policing initiatives in the local community. They assist with events including the Suffolk Show, town fairs, carnivals and charity events.
They also support the important work of community policing teams and are taught basic knowledge in a variety of policing activity.
The aims of the scheme are:
- to promote and encourage a practical interest in policing work among young people
- to provide training which will encourage positive leadership within communities
- to encourage the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship
What young people get out of the scheme
Young people who join our cadet schemes will get the chance to develop skills that will assist them in the job market, encourage good citizenship, help them to make positive life choices, and influence the shape of the community and the police service.
What a police cadet does
Police cadets help and assist in the community by assisting with local events such as fairs, town shows, carnivals and other local events. They help with high profile events such as the Suffolk Show.
Police cadets also help the community policing teams through leaflet drops, crime prevention initiatives, community safety events and street surveys.
They are taught basic knowledge in a variety of policing activity. Law for example, definitions of robbery, burglary, theft, public order and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, along with arrest and custody procedures. Cadets will also get an insight into how to deal with a road traffic collision, first aid, officers safety, conflict management, the caution and stop and search powers.
As cadets they also have the opportunity to visit different departments in the police service, such as Dog Section, Firearms Unit, Roads Policing and Scenes of Crime unit.
Age requirements
The scheme recruits young people between the ages of 13 and 17 years. Young people can remain cadets within their unit until their 18th birthday.
Qualifications and skills
You don't need any experience, skills or qualifications to be a cadet. All we ask is that you commit to attending regularly, and strive to improve yourself and your local community. Each Cadet will have the opportunity to achieve awards as they progress through a structured programme.
Support for those with special needs
The scheme welcomes young people of all abilities. If a recruit has special requirements this will, wherever possible be accommodated, if necessary using the support of a carer provided by the cadet.
Options for younger volunteers
If you are currently too young to join the police cadets, alternative options for volunteering include the service cadet schemes - army, air, sea, or other youth uniform organisations such as the Scouts, Guides, Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, and St John’s Ambulance. Additionally, you may wish to contact your local authority about other youth provision in your area.
Options for older volunteers
There are other volunteering opportunities within Suffolk Police including the Special Constabulary and Police Support Volunteers. See the Join Us section on this website.
Meeting times and places
Cadet meetings will take place on police premises. However, where a unit is not able to meet at such premises (either short term or long term) other suitable premises may be used.
The meetings will take place weekly throughout the year and be around two-hours long. There can be organised activities outside of this core meeting time both during weekends and school holiday times. However, no activity shall be organised which would encourage cadets to be absent from a place of education during normal term time.
A cadet may leave at any time. If a cadet exhibits unacceptable behaviour that breaches the code of conduct, they may be requested to leave. If the cadet is below 17 years then a parent or guardian will be contacted and involved in the process.
Cost
Even though the cadets are a voluntary organisation we do ask cadets to give a small amount of money to the unit through termly subscriptions. This will be used to cover some basic running expenses. If individuals have particular financial difficulties then a resolution can be discussed through with the local leaders.
Uniforms and equipment
There is no specific equipment you need to join the cadets. We provide a uniform to cadets at no cost. However, you will have to provide black shoes or boots.
Joining the police force after being a cadet
The Volunteer Police Cadets scheme will provide you with an insight into policing; however, it will not specifically assist your application.
Joining the cadets if you have previously been in trouble with the police
In most cases you can still join the cadets if you have been in trouble with the police in the past. However, each case will be considered on merit.
Finding and contacting your local unit
Suffolk cadet units:
- Martlesham Cadets - Thursday 7-9pm, Suffolk Police Headquarters
- Ipswich Cadets – Thursday 7-9pm, Landmark House, Ipswich
- Bury St Edmunds Cadets - Tuesday 7-9pm, Bury police station.
- Lowestoft Cadets – Thursday 7-9pm, Lowestoft police station.
- Sudbury Cadets – Thursday 7.15-9pm, Sudbury police station
- Stowmarket Cadets – Thursday 6:45-8:30pm, Stowmarket High School
The following will help you decide whether you meet the necessary requirements to become a cadet:
- cadets will be recruited between the age range of 13 to 17 years but can remain a cadet until their 18th birthday
- the scheme welcomes young people of all abilities and if a recruit has special requirements this will be accommodated wherever possible
- any young person will be considered, but where demand outweighs capacity, those with greater need will be considered over ability
- previous offending, reprimands, final warnings and minor criminal convictions will not be a reason to exclude a young person
- nationally, the police service has a policy prohibiting any of their officers, staff or volunteers from becoming members of, or engaged in activities with the British National Party (BNP) or similar organisations, whose aims, objectives or pronouncements may contradict the duty to promote race equality
- any applicant who is or has been a member of the BNP or similar organisation will be rejected
The leaders of each unit will seek to maintain a balanced unit providing a healthy mix of male and female members across the full age range, ethnic and social groups.
The following will help you decide whether you meet the necessary requirements to become a cadet Leader
- Over the age of 18
- Pass Police Vetting
- Complete enhanced DBS check
- You do not need prior police experience.
Cadet training and activities include:
Making a positive contribution
- community engagement activities
- supporting safer neighbourhood teams
- community projects
- first response to an incident
Economic well being
- law
- crime reduction
- managing money
Staying safe
- personal safety
- first aid
- drug and alcohol education
Being healthy
- sport
- drill
- team games
- healthy living
Enjoying and achieving
- outward bounds activities
- social and recreational activities
Current cadet units
There are currently six cadet units, which are based in Martlesham, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft, Sudbury and Stowmarket.
How to Apply
Applications to join the cadets are accepted at any time, and if a particular unit is full, the young person will automatically be added to a waiting list and informed when a place becomes available.
To apply for a place as a volunteer police cadet in Martlesham, Ipswich, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Bury or Lowestoft please download the application form.
If you would like further information about the cadet scheme, please email us
Suffolk Constabulary is committed to Safeguarding within the Police Volunteer Cadet Programme.
We believe that:
Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind. Suffolk Constabulary is committed to Safeguarding within its Police Volunteer Cadet Programme:
Our responsibility to protect children and young people who are members of the scheme from harm, will ensure:
- the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take.
- We work in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies to promote young people’s welfare.
- We provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
- we give equal priority to keeping all children and young people safe regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.