122 replies to this topic

[Gforceuk]

in three words ... good god no

[rosco]

Must admit I am fundamentally opposed to the concept of cadets getting a quicker entry into the police force (either as an SC or a PC). It may make for easier entry if you can quote relevant experience on the application form/in interview but they are quite different, there is nothing confrontational involved at all and you're not a warrented officer and have no powers as I understand it.

[mph]

I actually think Specials should not have to go through the same old training, assessment centre, PIRT and interview because its a waste of time. This idea of mine was brought up in another thread due to police cuts in expenditure so while we're on this point I do think Specials should be trained in the areas they need to be and then placed back into thier boroughs as PC's. I don't see the benefits of training cadets and Specials and then having them go through the exact same things at the assessment centres which costs more money to run and fund.

Things are changing, a number of forces are running trial programs to recruit from their SC and PCSO ranks. Im not sure whats involved but there is a reduced course for SC officers as you've covered alot of the subjects a PC does and the course covers things you wont of done in SC training. Its all still new so its a case of watch this space

I personally dont think that cadets should have an easier time though as you should need to go through the same process as officers at some stage to prove yourself. If the cadets offer you so much to say that you should have an easy ride then the application process will be no problem (this isnt intended as a dig just my thoughts)

[Hyde]

Most parts actually. We learn about most aspects of criminal law and carry out role-plays to help us get into the mindset of being in that situation. We also do training on major incidents and I believe we do some riot training although I'm not sure if that's more of a fun activity as oppose to actually learning it. There are far too many things to list but recently our unit has been split into two groups, one group is doing level 1 training and the other is doing level 2...I'm sure as we progress more levels will be introduced. I don't think we cover everything a normal officer would do but we definitely cover most things.

I have a friend doing A-Level Law and they learned about certain parts of criminal within that, but having a law qualification on your CV doesn't give you any advantage as such during the application stages, and in fact I'd argue that having gained a qualification from the course to write down on paper. has more 'substance' than just talking over it in a classroom at cadets.

And regarding the Public order training - it's probably a fun activity to give you a taste of what they are like for Full time officers/Trained specials.
You may cover most things a regular/special does, but i expect there are some things you just won't cover in much detail at all - namely proper practice for taking witness and victim statements, practice of lost&found, powers of entry and so on. I hate to just assume things (it makes an ass out of u & me) but i wouldn't think cadets would cover such things in as much detail as warranted constables.

[Mr Potato Head]

I have a friend doing A-Level Law and they learned about certain parts of criminal within that, but having a law qualification on your CV doesn't give you any advantage as such during the application stages, and in fact I'd argue that having gained a qualification from the course to write down on paper. has more 'substance' than just talking over it in a classroom at cadets.

Although A-level law students probably don't use aspects of criminal law all the time and probably don't use it in line with learning police powers and performing in role-plays. It may have more substance but at the end of the day I wouldn't expect police officers to sift through every bit of legislation and remember it all.

And regarding the Public order training - it's probably a fun activity to give you a taste of what they are like for Full time officers/Trained specials.
You may cover most things a regular/special does, but i expect there are some things you just won't cover in much detail at all - namely proper practice for taking witness and victim statements, practice of lost&found, powers of entry and so on. I hate to just assume things (it makes an ass out of u & me) but i wouldn't think cadets would cover such things in as much detail as warranted constables.

We do cover what you've mentioned. We were actually taught in our first few weeks about filling in things like stop and search forms and I believe on the more advanced levels we do practice filling in witness statements and learning about what exactly happens during a "prompt an effective investigation". I'll have to ask my Sgt to run down the things we do because some people in the unit are unsure about it too.

I personally dont think that cadets should have an easier time though as you should need to go through the same process as officers at some stage to prove yourself. If the cadets offer you so much to say that you should have an easy ride then the application process will be no problem (this isnt intended as a dig just my thoughts)

I'll go back to my original point...Why make cadets, Specials, etc go through the same process as when we applied? Its a money-waster!

[carty23]

But why should we have to fill in application forms, go to the assessment centre and go over what we have already done as a cadet? It's just a waste of money to make us go through the same old process.

I'm sorry, but the cadet entry profile is nothing like the regular police entry profile. Yes you will fill out an application form and have an interview/mini assessment, but there is no cadet force in the country that mirrors the application process for a regular PC (4 interactive exercises, 2 written exercises, an interview comprising of 4 competency questions and the PIRT). Even for the specials, the recruitment process is very different compared to cadets.

in three words ... good god no

Must admit I am fundamentally opposed to the concept of cadets getting a quicker entry into the police force (either as an SC or a PC). It may make for easier entry if you can quote relevant experience on the application form/in interview but they are quite different, there is nothing confrontational involved at all and you're not a warrented officer and have no powers as I understand it.

Exactly. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I've had more difficult situations working in retail on a weekend (being swore at by customers, having people shouting and screaming at me and other staff for various reasons, as well as the drunks who constantly give it verbal) than I ever had as a cadet.

I can think of some cadets that were in the same group as me, that if they ever had a confrontational situation unravel infront of them and they were a PC/SC they would freeze and wouldn't be able to be assertive and take control of a situation. Therefore having them go through an easier route is a big no no. There (Cadets) skills and abilities need to be tested like everyone else's have to be. Having dealt with people who don't particularly want to be your best friend, it's made me a lot more confident in dealing with people and I have examples for the competencies for when I apply next year. None of the examples i'll be using will be from the cadets.

Edited by carty23, 26 April 2010 - 04:30 PM.

[SCtin-tin]

I think cadets should be fast tracked, but not miss out an interview, or training. Fitness is of a high standard for cadets, we currently do a once every three months fitness test only a mile, but also encompasses OST. Just to make sure cadets know what theyre doing if a situation arises.... RUN - hard and fast!

The cadets should have a much cut down selections process, such as no need for paper sift or vetting... But an interview on your borough of choice then the training that all SC's currently under go, so theyre is no excuses for not knowing what to do!

Just my opinion,

Regards

[Mr Potato Head]

I'm sorry, but the cadet entry profile is nothing like the regular police entry profile. Yes you will fill out an application form and have an interview/mini assessment, but there is no cadet force in the country that mirrors the application process for a regular PC (4 interactive exercises, 2 written exercises, an interview comprising of 4 competency questions and the PIRT). Even for the specials, the recruitment process is very different compared to cadets.

Did I say the cadet entry was like the police officer/special constable entry process? I merely stated that some of the things we had to do in cadets were similar and some of the assessment centre-like role-plays/training/PIRT are done at cadet meetings so what is the point in going over them again? each week we learn something new and have workshops where we are put in the position of a police officer which means we carryout verbal logical reasoning tasks, we fill out reports, we have to learn basic map reading skills which involve numbers and so on - isn't this just the same as the PIRT?

I'm not sure why people think its such a bad idea, especially serving officers as this could mean costs in the recruitment process are dramatically reduced which leads to more money available in forces budgets and less cuts being made to front-line policing. Obviously, as I expressed in a previous post, cadets who wish to join the force would have to have been trained for a certain amount of time before being allowed to join...Possibly the only thing I would still like to see in place is the interview (if there are more candidates from that particular cadet unit and only a small number of places).

[carty23]

Did I say the cadet entry was like the police officer/special constable entry process? I merely stated that some of the things we had to do in cadets were similar and some of the assessment centre-like role-plays/training/PIRT are done at cadet meetings so what is the point in going over them again? each week we learn something new and have workshops where we are put in the position of a police officer which means we carryout verbal logical reasoning tasks, we fill out reports, we have to learn basic map reading skills which involve numbers and so on - isn't this just the same as the PIRT?

I'm not sure why people think its such a bad idea, especially serving officers as this could mean costs in the recruitment process are dramatically reduced which leads to more money available in forces budgets and less cuts being made to front-line policing. Obviously, as I expressed in a previous post, cadets who wish to join the force would have to have been trained for a certain amount of time before being allowed to join...Possibly the only thing I would still like to see in place is the interview (if there are more candidates from that particular cadet unit and only a small number of places).

I'll refer to your earlier post again:

But why should we have to fill in application forms, go to the assessment centre and go over what we have already done as a cadet? It's just a waste of money to make us go through the same old process.

If your asking why should you have to fill in the application forms and to go the assessment centre, then surely you are implying you've already done it before for the cadets? Or are you saying that you should miss it out altogether just because you are a cadet?

I've also highlighted the "same," as the cadets process is not the same as regular/specials, so you won't be going through the 'same old process' as it will be different.

[Mr Potato Head]

I'll refer to your earlier post again:

If your asking why should you have to fill in the application forms and to go the assessment centre, then surely you are implying you've already done it before for the cadets? Or are you saying that you should miss it out altogether just because you are a cadet?

I've also highlighted the "same," as the cadets process is not the same as regular/specials, so you won't be going through the 'same old process' as it will be different.

I think your being slightly picky to be honest. When I mentioned the word "same" I meant we would have covered the same process in cadets as what goes on at the assessment centre and other things during the recruitment process. I'm pretty sure I've read posts from other cadets where they have been told they had to take or undergo assessments before they could join. Cadets will have picked up all the experience needed to join and be an effective police officer with the stuff we do so having a reduced process is something I think cadets and Specials should have.

Are you saying that the police should waste money on training us twice over when they could save money by giving us full training in the cadets and then allowing us an easier ride in the recruitment process - I'd be happy with ding the PIRT and final interview.

[carty23]

I think your being slightly picky to be honest. When I mentioned the word "same" I meant we would have covered the same process in cadets as what goes on at the assessment centre and other things during the recruitment process.

This is another problem about having an 'easier' route, it is not a national thing and so what happens during cadets time and how they become a cadet is totally different and cannot be assessed against national requirements. Thus your experience of being a Met Cadet will be totally different to mine as a MerPol one, and the skills and abilites we have obtained during our time as a cadet will also vary. The whole point in the National Police Recruit Assessment Process for police officers was because before it, each service was responsible for its own recruiting methods. This led to variations in the skills and abilities that were being assessed, and to what standards. Furthermore, the actual assessment of individual candidates varied a great deal.

MerPol do not cover the same process in the cadets as what goes on at the assessment centre. When I applied I was given an application form and you were scored out of 5 on the questions such as "name a time when you have blah blah" - nowhere near as detailed as the regular police application competency Q's. You then had an interview and again were scored out of 5 on the questions asked (Which you had to develop a little bit than what you said on the application form). I got 10/10, and even still I knew I wouldn't have a chance in passing the regular application process back then, as it is a lot more detailed and thorough.

Cadets will have picked up all the experience needed to join and be an effective police officer with the stuff we do so having a reduced process is something I think cadets and Specials should have.

I disagree. Cadets has no confrontational aspect, and although you may do the odd front office duty and help out in local events, you simply cannot gain all your experience from the cadets and for that background to grade you as an effective police officer automatically. We've had people coming on here, who are in there 30s/40s and have had lots of life experience working in various sectors. There has even been serving specials who have quite a lot of experience under their belt who have been rejected from the regulars, and you are proposing that you should have an easier ride at the age of 18 when you finish cadets? Lets not be silly here.

Are you saying that the police should waste money on training us twice over when they could save money by giving us full training in the cadets and then allowing us an easier ride in the recruitment process

I really doubt that the training of a cadet is to the same standard of that of a regular police officer. You may cover various bits and bobs of law, learning sections and acts, but there's no comparison. We've had SC's on this site who are now PC's and have told us how much they didn't know as an SC and now they have become a PC they certainly know a lot more.

Edited by carty23, 26 April 2010 - 06:41 PM.

[Mr Potato Head]

This is another problem about having an 'easier' route, it is not a national thing and so what happens during cadets time and how they become a cadet is totally different and cannot be assessed against national requirements. Thus your experience of being a Met Cadet will be totally different to mine as a MerPol one, and the skills and abilites we have obtained during our time as a cadet will also vary. The whole point in the National Police Recruit Assessment Process for police officers was because before it, each service was responsible for its own recruiting methods. This led to variations in the skills and abilities that were being assessed, and to what standards. Furthermore, the actual assessment of individual candidates varied a great deal.

That can easily be changed to make assessing cadets a national requirement if the 'higher-ups' in the police service use a bit of common sense and realise that the cadets is an ideal opportunity to save money in other areas such as the recruitment process and training. I'm not sure what point your trying to make but aren't some forces still following thier own recruitment guidelines even though there was changes to the way Special Constables should be recruited? I haven't just come up with this idea overnight its something that has been discussed in a number of different threads and a number of cadets would agree with me; that we should have an easier route into the police. I firmly believe that the police should use cadets as an avenue for aspiring police officers as well as leaving the door open for applicants.

MerPol do not cover the same process in the cadets as what goes on at the assessment centre. When I applied I was given an application form and you were scored out of 5 on the questions such as "name a time when you have blah blah" - nowhere near as detailed as the regular police application competency Q's. You then had an interview and again were scored out of 5 on the questions asked (Which you had to develop a little bit than what you said on the application form). I got 10/10, and even still I knew I wouldn't have a chance in passing the regular application process back then, as it is a lot more detailed and thorough.

I think your 'hanging' too much on every word I post and misunderstanding me. I can easily link nearly every bit of the recruitment process in with the cadets from start to finish. Why do Cadets/Specials/PCSO's have to go through the same application process as members of the public? Why do we have to answer competency questions when its clear most of us do have the competencies to be a good police officer? Why do we have to go to the assessment centre and take part in role-plays which, as Cadets, we have done hundreds of times and they are based around real policing situations which in my opinion is better - plus we have to police events where speaking to people and calming them down is the norm...Isn't this what happens in the assessment centre role-plays? I think it does. Why do Cadets have to have an interview about the competencies when we've covered every single one during cadet meetings and events? Why do we have to do certain aspects of the PIRT when we would have covered this in workshops? Why do we have go over the same things when applying to the police during training when we've done 99.9% of them as a Cadet?

I disagree. Cadets has no confrontational aspect, and although you may do the odd front office duty and help out in local events, you simply cannot gain all your experience from the cadets and for that background to grade you as an effective police officer automatically. We've had people coming on here, who are in there 30s/40s and have had lots of life experience working in various sectors. There has even been serving specials who have quite a lot of experience under their belt who have been rejected from the regulars, and you are proposing that you should have an easier ride at the age of 18 when you finish cadets? Lets not be silly here.

Lets not be silly here? Its a debate, calm down. I don't know what your cadet unit does but around London we actually get involved in policing events, going on our own and doing crime prevention things, going into areas which aren't exactly 'welcoming'. Cadets does have a confrontational aspect to it although I would prefer it didn't because we are not protected at the times we need it most. I gave an example of what the marathon was like and what I had to do now if people pushing past you, being abusive and fighting over water is not confrontational then what is your definition? If people in thier 30/40's haven't gained enough life experience then I would ask them what the hell have they been doing? Surely they would have been in jobs that would have offered them all the life experiences they needed - there again judging by your post you seem to think that to join the police everyone needs to have had experiences in a wide variety of jobs like being a pornstar to show teamwork or being a volunteer down the local dogs home feeding the dogs to show that you've experienced customer and community focus. Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't thousands of young people joined at 18? Some of the highest ranking police officers have been police cadets and joined at 18. There are people that are unemployed and still getting in so I think your point is slightly mute.

I really doubt that the training of a cadet is to the same standard of that of a regular police officer. You may cover various bits and bobs of law, learning sections and acts, but there's no comparison. We've had SC's on this site who are now PC's and have told us how much they didn't know as an SC and now they have become a PC they certainly know a lot more.

It varies from unit-to-unit on how much your Sgt's/Insp's think you should learn. I know the level's process in my unit is a new thing because so many of us want to join when we leave. We end up going home with a small booklet on the power/act we've covered each cadet meeting so I'd imagine by the end of our service as Cadets we have covered most aspects of the law.

Edited by VPCMP, 26 April 2010 - 07:28 PM.

[carty23]

That can easily be changed to make assessing cadets a national requirement if the 'higher-ups' in the police service use a bit of common sense and realise that the cadets is an ideal opportunity to save money in other areas such as the recruitment process and training. I'm not sure what point your trying to make but aren't some forces still following thier own recruitment guidelines even though there was changes to the way Special Constables should be recruited? I haven't just come up with this idea overnight its something that has been discussed in a number of different threads and a number of cadets would agree with me; that we should have an easier route into the police. I firmly believe that the police should use cadets as an avenue for aspiring police officers as well as leaving the door open for applicants.

I doubt it’s high on their priority list to be perfectly honest. Yes, recruitment for specials is force specific, although there has been mention of a new style of recruitment for specials which some forces are adopting (Cheshire as an i.e.) However, whatever police service you apply to as a regular in England and Wales, the recruitment process is exactly the same.

I think your 'hanging' too much on every word I post and misunderstanding me. I can easily link nearly every bit of the recruitment process in with the cadets from start to finish. Why do Cadets/Specials/PCSO's have to go through the same application process as members of the public? Why do we have to answer competency questions when its clear most of us do have the competencies to be a good police officer? Why do we have to go to the assessment centre and take part in role-plays which, as Cadets, we have done hundreds of times and they are based around real policing situations which in my opinion is better - plus we have to police events where speaking to people and calming them down is the norm...Isn't this what happens in the assessment centre role-plays? I think it does. Why do Cadets have to have an interview about the competencies when we've covered every single one during cadet meetings and events? Why do we have to do certain aspects of the PIRT when we would have covered this in workshops? Why do we have go over the same things when applying to the police during training when we've done 99.9% of them as a Cadet?

You can easily link nearly every bit of the recruitment process in with the cadets from start to finish – really? I’ll ask you one question which requires a yes or no answer. Do cadets in the Met follow exactly the same recruitment process for regulars (4 interactive exercises, 2 written exercises, competency based interview and the PIRT?) If no, then you should go through exactly the same process as external candidates.

“It’s clear that most of us do have the competencies to be a good police officer?” – how can you make that assumption if you are not assessed by filling out competency answers and having a structured competency interview?

The reason you have to do the assessment centre and take part in role plays is because when you do come to apply and go through the process, you actually get marked (A – D) on the competencies.

You might have covered every single competency during your cadet meetings, but it’s not about knowing what a competency is. Anyone can do that. It’s about having personal experience and examples, where you can recall situations you have been in and meet the positive indicators for each competency.
Once again, you may well have covered “certain aspects of the PIRT” in workshops, but you haven’t sat the PIRT. It’s a bit like saying why does a person who has 2 A*’s in Maths and English have to sit it. Simple answer is, because everyone else has to.

Lets not be silly here? Its a debate, calm down. I don't know what your cadet unit does but around London we actually get involved policing events, going on our own and doing crime prevention things, going into areas which aren't exactly 'welcoming'. Cadets does have a confrontational aspect to it although I would prefer it didn't because we are not protected at the times we need it most. I gave an example of what the marathon was like and what I had to do now if people pushing past you, being abusive and fighting over water is not confrontational then what is your definition? If people in thier 30/40's haven't gained enough life experience then I would ask them what the hell have they been doing? Surely they would have been in jobs that would have offered them all the life experiences they needed - there again judging by your post you seem to think that to join the police everyone needs to have had experiences in a wide variety of jobs like being a pornstar to show teamwork or being a volunteer down the local dogs home feeding the dogs to show that you've experienced customer and community focus. Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't thousands of young people joined at 18? Some of the highest ranking police officers have been police cadets and joined at 18. There are people that are unemployed and still getting in so I think your point is slightly mute.

I am perfectly calm and participate in a lot of debates during my sociology and history lessons, both of which I’m also calm in MerPol cadets also get involved in policing events, do crime prevention, do front office duties blah blah.

They may well have gained a lot of ‘life experience,’ but when they have been tested to see whether they suit the ability of a police officer, they have failed. I do not seem to think that to join the police you need to have experience in a wide variety of jobs. I said in my previous post that people have had experience in various sectors and failed, not that they need experience in various sectors.

I wouldn’t know whether thousands of young people joined at 18 successfully, and unless there are some official stats I’ll guess we will never know.
What has being unemployed got to do with getting in? Which part of my point is slightly mute?

[Police Constable 1]

Instead of an easier access into the regulars why not have an easier access into the Specials/PCSO more so PCSO as being a cadet follows similar lines

[Hyde]

Instead of an easier access into the regulars why not have an easier access into the Specials/PCSO more so PCSO as being a cadet follows similar lines

Why should there be easier access in to the £21k+ a year paid PCSO role just because it's a non confrontational role, as cadets are?
I'm all for cadets getting support directly from SCs/PCs when it comes to the Specials recruitment but there are people of all ages that get rejected from the Specials at application stage because they aren't suited to the role. Just because you sent off an app and had a short interview for cadets, doesn't mean you are cut out for policing.

I am going to sound extremely arrogant in saying this, but there's no other words i can put it in. Cadets is a club, not a god-given right as a path in to a confrontational policing role.

I wouldn’t know whether thousands of young people joined at 18 successfully, and unless there are some official stats I’ll guess we will never know.

I joined at 18 after applying at 17yrs6months, with no previous experience with the police/cadets.

[jaysec]

Iv sat and thought about this question for a few days, and im rather interested what I think of it.
Iv been in the same boat as some of you cadets reaching the leaving age, it can be disheartning as I experienced, left cadets and applied for pcso and was rejected even before a day 1.

I thought all the cadet time I put in for what..., that sort of situation can go two ways, but I decided to go with it and do something worthwhile (volunteer front counter in my case) then applied for SC back in july and got through.

Now im all for police cadets, I think its a worthwhile thing for youths to engage with, gives a sense of belonging, installs discipline and can be very interesting, thats why iv remained attached with my old cadets unit, I like to help and still be a part of it.

But at the end of the day SC/PC/PCSO are jobs in the adult world that require utmost sensibility (obviously), and needs the right people for the roles, thats why even though most forces are crying out for specials at the moment, fair few people are still being turned away because they are not the right character for the job.

As others have said, if police staff/pcso/SC's dont get into becoming PC's why should cadets be any different?
I do believe there should be some assistence for cadets that wish to progress into their chosen police force, like cutting the waiting times down as in my case 3 months is just silly.

So in short, I dont think cadets should get any easier acess then anyone else, just some support.

[Hyde]

So in short, I dont think cadets should get any easier acess then anyone else, just some support.

Yes, i agree. I think that was one of my opening thoughts, actually.

[Gforceuk]

I thought 'good god no' covered it too. lmao

[MikeBrum]

The cadet scheme is just a youth club. In a simple answer - NO. It wouldn't be fair, as others have stated, Police Cadets are non-confrontational civilians. Yes, you may want to join the police when old enough but you're not [as a cadet*] doing the same thing as your Constable 'friends'.

To add a tad more in, the A-Level Law students do the following:
AS Level: How parliament makes law
A2: Criminal Law (Common Law, RTA '88, PACE and how lawyers/police deal with such)

The course is designed for candidates that want to move onto the CPS, become a solicitor or join the police. AND it's a qualification, it's usable on a CV.

"I did police cadets and we vaguely discussed law" doesn't count.

*forgot that crucial statement in that sentence.

Edited by MikeBrum, 27 April 2010 - 07:23 PM.

[Hyde]

I thought 'good god no' covered it too. lmao

[MikeBrum]

Next topic "Should Cadets be CO19 trained?"

"Cadets *might* come face to face with a handgun, and need to act quickly with their water pistols to neutralise a target..."

Edited by MikeBrum, 27 April 2010 - 11:19 PM.

[Sierra Papa 88]

The cadet scheme is just a youth club. In a simple answer - NO. It wouldn't be fair, as others have stated, Police Cadets are non-confrontational civilians. Yes, you may want to join the police when old enough but you're not [as a cadet*] doing the same thing as your Constable 'friends'.

To add a tad more in, the A-Level Law students do the following:
AS Level: How parliament makes law
A2: Criminal Law (Common Law, RTA '88, PACE and how lawyers/police deal with such)

The course is designed for candidates that want to move onto the CPS, become a solicitor or join the police. AND it's a qualification, it's usable on a CV.

"I did police cadets and we vaguely discussed law" doesn't count.

*forgot that crucial statement in that sentence.

A level law is not a touch on what is taught to new student officers, not even close.

Utter nonsense this post, by the sounds of it was posted by someone who does not know what they are talking about!

[xeon]

A level law!!! most uni's would rather you didnt take it and the police wont care too much.

You DO get a step up from most other 18 year olds in that if you've played your cards right you've talked with the right people and know the recruitment system inside out. Your in constant contact with officers of all ranks... ask questions, be proactive and you will be in a better position to apply.

If you cut the mustard you get in, happy days.

But leaving can be pretty gutting when you've rested your hopes and desires on becoming a constable at 18. I decided to leave after cadets, theres a big world out there so see and alot more to life than the police, if you dont get in its not the end of the world pick yourself up and find something new... but hiding on PS.com and thinking "maybe in the future" will forever be in the back of your mind hihihihi.

[jaysec]

The cadet scheme is just a youth club. In a simple answer - NO. It wouldn't be fair, as others have stated, Police Cadets are non-confrontational civilians. Yes, you may want to join the police when old enough but you're not [as a cadet*] doing the same thing as your Constable 'friends'.

To add a tad more in, the A-Level Law students do the following:
AS Level: How parliament makes law
A2: Criminal Law (Common Law, RTA '88, PACE and how lawyers/police deal with such)

The course is designed for candidates that want to move onto the CPS, become a solicitor or join the police. AND it's a qualification, it's usable on a CV.

"I did police cadets and we vaguely discussed law" doesn't count.

*forgot that crucial statement in that sentence.

Not sure how police cadets are run in other area's, but speaking for my own unit we are not a youth club.
Youth clubs are for social evenings and involve sport/video games.
Our cadets are niether, social clubs do not provide discipline, team building, provisions to stimulate a interest in a public service. We also regularly introduce law to the cadets, and ensure their knowledge is kept up to date. Like we do.

I thought 'good god no' covered it too. lmao

Well not really 'lmao'
Nice to see what peoples views are, instead of a one line brush off.

Edited by MetCadetJCCC, 28 April 2010 - 07:48 AM.

[Gforceuk]

Not sure how police cadets are run in other area's, but speaking for my own unit we are not a youth club.
Youth clubs are for social evenings and involve sport/video games.
Our cadets are niether, social clubs do not provide discipline, team building, provisions to stimulate a interest in a public service. We also regularly introduce law to the cadets, and ensure their knowledge is kept up to date. Like we do.

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So how would that justify jumping the queue ? it doesnt