24 replies to this topic

[Mr Potato Head]

Obviously, things at the Met aren't great at the moment with them over-recruiting and going way over-budget so wouldn't it be easier to use the Cadet system as a means of training officers as well as a reduced recruitment process? It would cost them less and it would mean they would have better officers out on the street depending on how long they have been in the Cadets. To me, it seems like an awful waste of money to train Cadets over and over again when they apply because we would have already covered most aspects of the law and the most common laws/powers that people are arrested by.

Its just an idea but it would be more cost-effective and I think it would make for better police officers. That's not to say that an officer that joins the police isn't as good as one that has been a Cadet but in my opinion the Met are missing out.

Edited by VPCMP, 15 March 2010 - 12:15 PM.

[jaysec]

Obviously, things at the Met aren't great at the moment with them over-recruiting and going way over-budget so wouldn't it be easier to use the Cadet system as a means of training officers as well as a reduced recruitment process? It would cost them less and it would mean they would have better officers out on the street depending on how long they have been in the Cadets. To me, it seems like an awful waste of money to train Cadets over and over again when they apply because we would have already covered most aspects of the law and the most common laws/powers that people are arrested by.

Its just an idea but it would be more cost-effective and I think it would make for better police officers. That's not to say that an officer that joins the police isn't as good as one that has been a Cadet but in my opinion the Met are missing out.

Well if you have been part of the Met Cadet Scheme, and you apply for a role in the Met im sure your time given as a cadet is considered at some point, trouble being you get cadets who can do 5 years in the scheme and dont have that much knowledge learnt in cadets as you would expect including not even being able to reciete the caution.

But I do agree they should think through ways they can better support and give cadets a better chance when and if they decide they want to move on into and join the police .

[Paradox]

But I do agree they should think through ways they can better support and give cadets a better chance when and if they decide they want to move on into and join the police .

Indeed, it would be a good idea. But they don't have a scheme in place for serving Specials either.

[okeeg001]

I know in Sussex there is some talk about making the process from Cadet to SC easier.

[SCtin-tin]

As far am I am aware there is a space on the application form for us to state if we were a cadet? So I think we do get looked on more likely than an external candidate. My advice - become a cadet! especially as they want 4000 by 2012!

I also agree with the first point, there should be some sort of slip stream system for cadets... Cover the basic training that gets taught at hendon on parade nights - maybe for the cadets 16 and over who have a aspiration to join the Met. So when you are 18, you go straight in... do your attestation etc and are straight on borough. It would save bundles... but as we know... in the Met everything takes a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry long time! But like the idea and principal Maybe raise the suggestion to someone who could do something about it aswell?

Cheers

[carty23]

Hmm, I think this wouldn't work for Merseyside (especially in the St Helens BCU, others may vary), as

1) The Cadets length of service is only 2 years
2) Not a lot of law training is actually covered
3) Classroom based sessions are every other week and only 1 hour long in duration.

The Cadet scheme could also be expolited as a means of "easy entry" for those wishing to become officers.

I do see the point you are coming from, though.

[Owen]

Like others have said, cadets wont help on the knowledge side of things in the police, but it would show commitment to the police of that is the job you want to do.

[okeeg001]

Ah with Sussex it's 4 years service and I know at my unit it's rather heavily law based.

[carty23]

Ah with Sussex it's 4 years service and I know at my unit it's rather heavily law based.

Well maybe with something like this, it could be taken into consideration when applying for the specials and help to reduce training times.

Maybe they could introduce an exam for you to sit to see whether you knowledge is sufficient enough, and just give you manuals as a secondary learning resource.

Edited by carty23, 17 March 2010 - 07:27 AM.

[jaysec]

As far am I am aware there is a space on the application form for us to state if we were a cadet? So I think we do get looked on more likely than an external candidate. My advice - become a cadet! especially as they want 4000 by 2012!

I also agree with the first point, there should be some sort of slip stream system for cadets... Cover the basic training that gets taught at hendon on parade nights - maybe for the cadets 16 and over who have a aspiration to join the Met. So when you are 18, you go straight in... do your attestation etc and are straight on borough. It would save bundles... but as we know... in the Met everything takes a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry long time! But like the idea and principal Maybe raise the suggestion to someone who could do something about it aswell?

Cheers

What i'll personally add to this which im tempted to raise at some point, beings the Met want to increase their cadet numbers by 2012, maybe a open day of sorts in london somewhere where locally all boroughs could gain access for the public to see them visable and in mass.

[Mr Potato Head]

I could raise it with my Sgt but how seriously would it be taken?

[SCtin-tin]

I think the open day idea is very good idea... i'm not sure if the parade went as planned in hoping people saw it and joined! I think the best skipper to speak to is the new VPC co-ordinator up at ESB, he is a very nice bloke and has lots of ideas for cadets shall we say very proactive... I may see him tomorrow, if you want I will say something about an open day?

Cheers

[jaysec]

I could raise it with my Sgt but how seriously would it be taken?

Depends if it could be pulled off.

I think the open day idea is very good idea... i'm not sure if the parade went as planned in hoping people saw it and joined! I think the best skipper to speak to is the new VPC co-ordinator up at ESB, he is a very nice bloke and has lots of ideas for cadets shall we say very proactive... I may see him tomorrow, if you want I will say something about an open day?

Cheers

do, I mean imagine if as many cadets as possible from all around london had the open day say trafalgaur square?
Would be big publicity.

[Mr Potato Head]

I think it also depends on what the Cadets want as well.

It could be an idea to start an online petition or something.

[SCtin-tin]

Depends if it could be pulled off.



do, I mean imagine if as many cadets as possible from all around london had the open day say trafalgaur square?
Would be big publicity.

Now that sounds like a plan... Good publicity for the cadets and for the Met as a whole!

I think I may have words tomorrow

[Rocket]

Obviously, things at the Met aren't great at the moment with them over-recruiting and going way over-budget so wouldn't it be easier to use the Cadet system as a means of training officers as well as a reduced recruitment process? It would cost them less and it would mean they would have better officers out on the street depending on how long they have been in the Cadets. To me, it seems like an awful waste of money to train Cadets over and over again when they apply because we would have already covered most aspects of the law and the most common laws/powers that people are arrested by.

Its just an idea but it would be more cost-effective and I think it would make for better police officers. That's not to say that an officer that joins the police isn't as good as one that has been a Cadet but in my opinion the Met are missing out.

What you say makes perfect common sense.

Cadet > Reg = less training/more job knowledge/less cost

Special > Reg = ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

PCSO > Reg = ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

But since when did common sense have anything to do with it?

Edited by Rocket, 17 March 2010 - 07:42 PM.

[SCtin-tin]

What you say makes perfect common sense.

Cadet > Reg = less taining/more job knowledge.

Special > Reg = ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

PCSO > Reg = ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

But since when did coomon sense have anything to do with it?

Now that makes even more sense... but nothing in the job is ever simple... Im sure there will be some sort of H&S along there somewhere... Cadets shouldnt know about this sort of thing blah blah blah!!!

[Mr Potato Head]

What you say makes perfect common sense.

Cadet > Reg = less training/more job knowledge/less cost

Special > Reg = ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

PCSO > Reg = ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

But since when did common sense have anything to do with it?

Just to add to my opening post...

We can leave full-tine education at 16 so in reality, those that leave at 16 would have more time on thier hands to study and learn about the laws/powers...The Met could even set up a specific timetable for 'students' each week.

[SCtin-tin]

Just to add to my opening post...

We can leave full-tine education at 16 so in reality, those that leave at 16 would have more time on thier hands to study and learn about the laws/powers...The Met could even set up a specific timetable for 'students' each week.

This sounds good... I will raise these points if you dont mind if I see the skipper tomorrow?

Dont worry, I will say I saw them on this forum I wont take credit as there not my ideas!

Edited by PYMetCadet, 17 March 2010 - 07:54 PM.

[Owen]

Looks like some good ideas here!

[Mr Potato Head]

This sounds good... I will raise these points if you dont mind if I see the skipper tomorrow?

Dont worry, I will say I saw them on this forum I wont take credit as there not my ideas!

Feel free to mention them.

I'm surprised this hasn't been proposed by the Met earlier, I would definitely jump at the chance of starting training early...Minus the vetting checks because knowing my luck I'll fail. Joking! The vetting guy said I'll be fine.

Edited by VPCMP, 17 March 2010 - 07:57 PM.

[SCtin-tin]

Feel free to mention them.

I'm surprised this hasn't been proposed by the Met earlier, I would definitely jump at the chance of starting training early...Minus the vetting checks because knowing my luck I'll fail. Joking! The vetting guy said I'll be fine.

Ill drop them into him tomorrow I agree, I dunno why they haven't thought about it earlier... It would save them bundles, plus push a large amount of people through the system and get them onto the street quicker...

Cheers.

[Rocket]

I feel really bad now, I was asked to be a Leader for the Police Cadet Force in my owm County, but I turned it down. My peers know I am a Scout Leader so they asked me if I would do it.

This is a fail on my part

[Mr Potato Head]

Let us know what the outcome is PY by the way.

[SCtin-tin]

Let us know what the outcome is PY by the way.

Spoke to the Skipper regarding one matter. Will inbox you.

Cheers,