Police cadet activities, education and qualifications

We offer a range of activities where our cadets can try different things, learn new skills, and get a behind the scenes insight into policing.

Our volunteer police cadet leaders will arrange a variety of activities for our cadets to take part in. This can include first aid training, team-building trips including summer camps, and demonstrations from specialist police units such as our dog section, firearms unit, and road policing teams.

We also work with our emergency service partners like Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the National Police Air Service (NPAS), who often accommodate our cadets to give them an insight into their work.

Working with the community is a key focus for our cadet units. They’ll find out what their community needs and help where they can.

This could be helping with community events like fetes or sporting occasions. Carrying out speed checks on roads where residents have raised concerns about speeding drivers. Provide crime prevention advice, pick up litter or work with trading standards to make sure shops aren’t selling things they shouldn’t be to young people. They’ll take part in ceremonial events, support the endeavours of the High Sheriff of Essex, and work hard to raise funds for their community projects.

Through helping their community and those in need, our cadets gain confidence, self-worth and sense of achievement.

Their good citizenship helps to set an example to other young people in the area and helps to promote a positive view of young people in the community.

Within each unit there is a rank structure as follows:

1. Head cadet
2. Deputy head cadet
3. Team leader
4. Deputy team leader
5. Cadet

Cadets will be able to apply for these roles within their unit. The rank structure works to give cadets the opportunity to take on more responsibility and build their leadership skills.

It includes leading ceremonial marches and the associated training (known as drill). Assisting leaders with the organisation of activities and events and mentoring other cadets.

Cadet Vocational College are an education charity that provides vocational qualifications to youth group members and their adult instructors. Qualifications are accredited by Pearson BTEC, ILM and City & Guilds.

We offer our cadets the opportunity to gain vocational qualifications through their voluntary work in the community.

As part of our cadet programme, we are proud to be a licensed provider of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

The DofE was designed to challenge young people between the ages of 14-24 to attain standards of achievement and endeavour in a wide variety of active interests – to serve their communities, experience adventure and to develop and learn outside the classroom.

We support our cadets in completing bronze, silver, and gold levels of the award.

Through taking part our cadets will continue helping the community and the environment. Become fitter, develop news skills, and complete a fun and challenging expedition.