9 replies to this topic

[AaronJH]

Hey,

I've applied for Bexley Police Cadets twice now,

First time it went well, I got an interview date but because of a Family problem, I could not make it to the interview and lost my place in the Cadets.

Second time, I asked Bexleys VPC Coordinator to send me some new forms, after a couple of months I am still waiting for those forms...

So I thought, can I join Greenwich VPC, even though I live in Bexley?

If I can do this, Whats it like? How do the interviews go? What was your first day like?

I am quite a shy person, and joining the VPC would build my self confidence up, and get my social skills a bit better ready for when I am old enough to join the MPS.

Basically, are the people at Cadets welcoming? Does the Cadet Coordinator force you to do things that you are not comfortable with doing?

Do you have to do any tests to get in or anything?

Thanks for any replies, and any other advice would be appreciated.

Also, can I still join if any of my family have a criminal record, but no one living at home with me has a criminal record so would this effect it?

Edited by AaronJH, 21 April 2010 - 11:22 AM.

[Mr Potato Head]

Hey,

I've applied for Bexley Police Cadets twice now,

First time it went well, I got an interview date but because of a Family problem, I could not make it to the interview and lost my place in the Cadets.

Second time, I asked Bexleys VPC Coordinator to send me some new forms, after a couple of months I am still waiting for those forms...

So I thought, can I join Greenwich VPC, even though I live in Bexley?

If I can do this, Whats it like? How do the interviews go? What was your first day like?

I am quite a shy person, and joining the VPC would build my self confidence up, and get my social skills a bit better ready for when I am old enough to join the MPS.

Basically, are the people at Cadets welcoming? Does the Cadet Coordinator force you to do things that you are not comfortable with doing?

Do you have to do any tests to get in or anything?

Thanks for any replies, and any other advice would be appreciated.

Also, can I still join if any of my family have a criminal record, but no one living at home with me has a criminal record so would this effect it?

The cadets are always welcoming and once you get stuck in and go away on camps and other trips you'll gel in well. I was amazed at how respectful my unit were when I joined - that is what cadets is about - having respect for each other and your staff as well as enjoying what you do. There are many things you do as cadet like visiting various parts of your units police station, policing events, going away, camping, hiking, DoE, SNT work and much, much more. You also learn most police powers and at times your staff may allow you to go out with a few officers on an observation trip.

My family members do have some dealings with the police although its just a minor caution and another issue which we helped the police with anyway. I had to fill in forms (a bit like vetting forms actually although we don't get vetted(?)) about my family members and everything was fine. There are no tests as far as I know. Your first day/night is mainly about getting to know the other new cadets, you go over some of the basic rules and guidelines and do some ice-breaker discussions - be prepared for PT afterwards.

I didn't have an interview, I just had a quick chat with my Sgt at a cadet awards ceremony and that was it.

Trust me, you'll enjoy it - there is nothing better then walking out of the station of an evening knowing you've given something back to your local community and heading towards your ultimate goal of joining the MPS.

[AaronJH]

The cadets are always welcoming and once you get stuck in and go away on camps and other trips you'll gel in well. I was amazed at how respectful my unit were when I joined - that is what cadets is about - having respect for each other and your staff as well as enjoying what you do. There are many things you do as cadet like visiting various parts of your units police station, policing events, going away, camping, hiking, DoE, SNT work and much, much more. You also learn most police powers and at times your staff may allow you to go out with a few officers on an observation trip.

My family members do have some dealings with the police although its just a minor caution and another issue which we helped the police with anyway. I had to fill in forms (a bit like vetting forms actually although we don't get vetted(?)) about my family members and everything was fine. There are no tests as far as I know. Your first day/night is mainly about getting to know the other new cadets, you go over some of the basic rules and guidelines and do some ice-breaker discussions - be prepared for PT afterwards.

I didn't have an interview, I just had a quick chat with my Sgt at a cadet awards ceremony and that was it.

Trust me, you'll enjoy it - there is nothing better then walking out of the station of an evening knowing you've given something back to your local community and heading towards your ultimate goal of joining the MPS.

Thanks for the reply, just reading that makes me want to join the VPC even more!!!

One question though, do we have to pay for our uniform ourselves or do we get it issued to us? Also, do we take it home or leave it where ever our Cadet Unit is based.

The observation shift sounds really good, one thing I didn't know that VPC allowed!

Also, because I dropped out of school last September (I'm 16 now) due to personal reasons, I didn't get any GCSE's or anything so I can't do college etc, I'm just worried if Met don't take me on as a Police Officer when i'm old enough.

So I thought doing Cadets would give me a bit more of a chance of actually becoming a Police Officer...hopefully!

Edit:

I just rung the Cadet Coordinator about joining Cadets, he has invited me down next Wednesday to see how I get on! so hopefully I can become a Police Cadet! (Greenwich Cadets)

Edited by AaronJH, 21 April 2010 - 01:25 PM.

[Mr Potato Head]

Thanks for the reply, just reading that makes me want to join the VPC even more!!!

One question though, do we have to pay for our uniform ourselves or do we get it issued to us? Also, do we take it home or leave it where ever our Cadet Unit is based.

The observation shift sounds really good, one thing I didn't know that VPC allowed!

Also, because I dropped out of school last September (I'm 16 now) due to personal reasons, I didn't get any GCSE's or anything so I can't do college etc, I'm just worried if Met don't take me on as a Police Officer when i'm old enough.

So I thought doing Cadets would give me a bit more of a chance of actually becoming a Police Officer...hopefully!

Some cadet units take on kids who have been in trouble with the police before - like for theft or something serious. I know my unit does that so you not getting any GCSE's is not a problem and it shouldn't be when you come to apply to join the MPS in the future. Infact, you don't need any grades to join the police service. You only go on observation trips if your Sgt allows you too, this is mainly for good behaviour and those that put more hours into volunteer police work then others. You do not have to pay for uniform - its free. The only thing you pay for is boots (if you don't have your own). Anyway, when you do come to apply your cadet unit will help you out as much as they can - I do know there is a new cadet unit opening up in Deptford. Search for your local one and contact them to see if there is a place, failing that speak to the Sgt who is running the Deptford unit.

[AaronJH]

Some cadet units take on kids who have been in trouble with the police before - like for theft or something serious. I know my unit does that so you not getting any GCSE's is not a problem and it shouldn't be when you come to apply to join the MPS in the future. Infact, you don't need any grades to join the police service. You only go on observation trips if your Sgt allows you too, this is mainly for good behaviour and those that put more hours into volunteer police work then others. You do not have to pay for uniform - its free. The only thing you pay for is boots (if you don't have your own). Anyway, when you do come to apply your cadet unit will help you out as much as they can - I do know there is a new cadet unit opening up in Deptford. Search for your local one and contact them to see if there is a place, failing that speak to the Sgt who is running the Deptford unit.

Thats good to know, I have been invited down to the Ministry of Defence for the next Cadet session in Greenwich! So hopefully I can become a Police Cadet with the Greenwich borough!

Thanks for all your advice!

[carty23]

Some cadet units take on kids who have been in trouble with the police before - like for theft or something serious. I know my unit does that so you not getting any GCSE's is not a problem and it shouldn't be when you come to apply to join the MPS in the future. Infact, you don't need any grades to join the police service. You only go on observation trips if your Sgt allows you too, this is mainly for good behaviour and those that put more hours into volunteer police work then others. You do not have to pay for uniform - its free. The only thing you pay for is boots (if you don't have your own). Anyway, when you do come to apply your cadet unit will help you out as much as they can - I do know there is a new cadet unit opening up in Deptford. Search for your local one and contact them to see if there is a place, failing that speak to the Sgt who is running the Deptford unit.

Really?

Doesn't happen in MerPol. In fact someone I knew someone at high school who applied for the same entry I was applying for and didn't get in due to his past with the police. Doesn't look good for kids with records for theft and "something serious" being allowed to represent a police force.

And good look AaronJH

Edited by carty23, 21 April 2010 - 04:36 PM.

[Mr Potato Head]

Really?

Doesn't happen in MerPol. In fact someone I knew someone at high school who applied for the same entry I was applying for and didn't get in due to his past with the police. Doesn't look good for kids with records for theft and "something serious" being allowed to represent a police force.

And good look AaronJH

Those were just general examples of crimes that young people who are referred to the cadet unit may have partaken in. I know one or two in my unit are constantly letting us down but I suppose its better that they are in the cadets rather then causing more trouble.

It also doesn't look good for police officers who are currently serving even though they have criminal records for serious crimes. I think its the fact we don't get vetted to a high enough level that means the 'bad kids' are still kept on board regardless of what's occurred.

I agree with you slightly.

[AaronJH]

Really?

Doesn't happen in MerPol. In fact someone I knew someone at high school who applied for the same entry I was applying for and didn't get in due to his past with the police. Doesn't look good for kids with records for theft and "something serious" being allowed to represent a police force.

And good look AaronJH

Thanks for the good luck! I agree that it doesn't look good, but also I kind of agree that they get accepted into Cadets so they can be put on the right track?

[jaysec]

Hey,

I've applied for Bexley Police Cadets twice now,

First time it went well, I got an interview date but because of a Family problem, I could not make it to the interview and lost my place in the Cadets.

Second time, I asked Bexleys VPC Coordinator to send me some new forms, after a couple of months I am still waiting for those forms...

So I thought, can I join Greenwich VPC, even though I live in Bexley?

If I can do this, Whats it like? How do the interviews go? What was your first day like?

I am quite a shy person, and joining the VPC would build my self confidence up, and get my social skills a bit better ready for when I am old enough to join the MPS.

Basically, are the people at Cadets welcoming? Does the Cadet Coordinator force you to do things that you are not comfortable with doing?

Do you have to do any tests to get in or anything?

Thanks for any replies, and any other advice would be appreciated.

Also, can I still join if any of my family have a criminal record, but no one living at home with me has a criminal record so would this effect it?

Hi Aaron, if you have any questions about cadets or even joining the service, then feel free to PM me, id be glad to help.

J

[AaronJH]

Hi Aaron, if you have any questions about cadets or even joining the service, then feel free to PM me, id be glad to help.

J

Hi mate,

Thanks for that, I sure will send you a PM if I have any further questions!

Edited by AaronJH, 21 April 2010 - 08:59 PM.