Becoming a Police Cadet

Bodmin Cadets Pass out parade

Inspiring and supporting young people across Devon and Cornwall

Become a Police Cadet and help make a difference in your community.

What are Volunteer Police Cadets?

The Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme is designed to build bridges between young people, the community and the police. The VPC scheme is about taking a mixture of young people aged 13-18 and helping them make a difference for themselves and their community

Cadets learn about the law, police procedures and specialist police units, and they develop some of the skills that police officers need such as communication, interpersonal skills and team working. They are also taught about community issues and local policing priorities.

Becoming a Police Cadet

As a Volunteer Police Cadet you’ll be issued with a uniform and attend weekly sessions lasting two and a half hours in the evenings. You’ll learn about a wide range of policing and community-related topics.

As well as these weekly sessions, you’ll also assist police officers, Police Community Support Officers and other police staff at a variety of community events, promoting crime prevention initiatives and be ambassadors for Devon & Cornwall Police at official events such as Remembrance Sunday.

We aim to build our Police Cadet groups to reflect the rich diversity and complexity of our communities by attracting the best talent from the widest pool of people.

St Austell Cadets on Speed Watch

Which units are currently recruiting?

Find out which units throughout Devon & Cornwall Police are currently open for new cadets!
Find out here

More information

To find out more about becoming a Police Cadet and to see if this is the volunteering opportunity for you, please visit the National Volunteer Police Cadet website.
National VPC website Apply Now