3. What our police cadets say

We are proud of each and every one of our volunteer police cadets, who are making a tangible difference to their communities. They assist our police officers, police community support officers and other police staff at community events, promoting crime prevention initiatives, such as bike tagging, and work with partner agencies to help make Dorset a safe county for everyone.   

Here are some comments from our volunteer police cadets explaining what they enjoy most about being part of the scheme.

Nora, age 17: "Being a police cadet for four years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life so far. It has given me the opportunity to be an active part of my community and make a positive difference to the people around me. Throughout my time as a cadet, I have developed strong communication skills, grown in confidence, and learnt valuable life skills that I know will stay with me for years to come. I've also had the privilege of making incredible friends and creating memories I'll never forget. My ambition is to become a police officer, and my time as a police cadet has given me an excellent foundation to build on as I work towards achieving that goal." 

Demi, aged 13: "I have benefitted from being a police cadet by finding people with the same interests as me and people who like asking questions. I have been able to speak up more there and have made lots of friends. Overall it has been the best club I have ever been to and I would encourage anyone who wants to join the police when they are older to try it and fall in love with it in the process." 

Emelia, age 16: "Joining the cadets has enabled me to grow as a person with confidence, as well as being able to meet new people and learn more about a career that I am interested in." 

Lily, age 14: "I started police cadets mainly as I wanted to pursue a career in that area, but on the way, I made lots of new friends who made me a better person and staff who kept me motivated to come and enjoy the weekly sessions. I was nervous to join at first, but as the weeks went on, it truly was one of my best decisions."

Dylan, age 17: "I’ve been a police cadet for four years now, starting when I was 13. I joined because I would like to become a police officer one day. Our weekly meetings are great. We do practical roleplays, workshops, team building and receive talks from different police units. Between that, the community events and the visits we can get to do, I’ve gained real insight into how modern policing actually works and the different careers available within the Force.
For me, volunteering in the community is the best part because it's real-world experience. I love talking with the public at events and promoting a positive view of the cadets. Drill training and the annual cadet challenge are big highlights for me too. Being a cadet has boosted my confidence, taught me lots of skills, and I've made some great friends."