Volunteer Cadets - About Us
"A shining example of the best of our younger generation"
The Volunteer Police Cadets is a uniformed voluntary youth organization, supported by The Metropolitan Police Service, open to young people aged between 14 -19 from across London’s diverse communities, irrespective of their background or financial circumstances and including those vulnerable to crime or social exclusion.
Our aims are to:
- Promote and encourage a practical interest in policing among young people
- Provide training which will encourage positive leadership within communities
- Encourage the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship
Visit our Cadet Expansion Scheme page
Get involved – are you up for a Challenge?
If you're between 14 and 18, find out how the VPC can offer you a world of adventure and new opportunities. It's an exciting way to meet wonderful people, pick up valuable skills all while having a great time.
More importantly it's a chance to show what you're made of and earn the respect of those around you. No one's going to judge you. If you're on our team, we're only interested in where you're at now and where you're heading.
"The VPC has changed my life, without being part of it I would not be in university and on the straight and narrow."
You can make a difference
We aim to promote and encourage a practical interest in policing among young people so you’ll have the opportunity to assist the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams through leaflet drops, crime prevention initiatives, community safety events and street surveys. You can also assist by stewarding at local community events, and high profile events including Remembrance Sunday, Trooping the Colour and the London Marathon.
Cadet Units meet once a week during a chosen evening in their local boroughs. Meetings usually include drill/inspection, some sort of physical activity, a guest speaker or input on a police related topic as part of an ongoing training programme. You’ll be taught basic knowledge in a variety of policing contexts and you will also have the opportunity to visit different units in the police service; which could include Air Support Unit, the Marine Police, the Mounted Branch (Horses) the Firearms unit and Forensic unit.
"Joining the Police Cadets is the best thing I have ever done. It has changed the way I feel about myself. I am more confident now and like getting involved in activities."
We encourage the spirit of adventure and will help you develop lasting transferable skills in leadership and good citizenship. Most units have a summer camp as well as expeditions during the year and we also work with other uniformed organisations including the army cadet force assisting as team leaders and mentors on their Outreach Programme.
Being a cadet is all about teamwork and developing a sense of healthy competition so you become the best you can be. There are seven competitions a year when you will have the chance to work as part of a team and demonstrate your skills in everything from problem-solving to various physical activities. There is something for everyone from street policing skills like stop and search to map reading, leadership and tests of strength and stamina.
"Sam joined the Cadets at 14 - not long after the accident which resulted in him spending the majority of his time in a wheelchair. Sam had gone into his shell and spent a lot of time in his room alone. However after joined the Cadets Sam grew into a young man very quickly. He is totally different to how he was before he joined the Cadets. He is confident, mature and motivated. He involves himself in many of the activities. He pushes himself and never gives up. The VPC looked through the disability and just accepted Sam as another Cadet. It has been an inspiration to him and we are immensely proud of what he has achieved."
All Cadet activities are risk assessed to comply with Health & Safety and Child Protection policies and procedures.
Watch what you can do in the Cadets on our video on YouTube.
Inspired to join? Please contact the Cadet Unit in your local London Borough, just visit the find your nearest Unit page.
