Volunteer Cadets

Sunday 27th November saw the 3rd Jack Petchey Award ceremony at the Great Hall in Kensington for the Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC). Over 200 cadets attended from across all the London Boroughs.

The Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme enables the VPC to recognise, reward and celebrate the achievements of our young people. Jack Petchey wants young people to raise their aspirations, believe in themselves and make a contribution to their society.

The awards were presented by senior officers led by Chief Superintendent Chris Bourlet, head of Safer Neighbourhoods. The Guests of Honour were the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London Wing Commander Mike Dudgeon OBE DL and Councillor Julie Mills, The Worshipful The Mayor 2011-12, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
There were also presentations to Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award achievers, winners of the VPC seven main competitions during the year including Thriftwood, Hendon, five a side football, paintball and London Challenge.

We received an impressive 45 nominations for cadet of the year all were a high standard which made it difficult for the independent judges to choose. There were three categories for 14 - 16 and 17-19; the Safer Neighbourhood Community Award, Presence and Performance Award and Best New Recruit Award. The overall Cadet of the Year was won by Paul Contento from Greenwich.

Cadet Paul Contento said: I’ve only been a cadet for just over a year so was very pleased to win the 14 -16 Presence and Performance Award. To then be chosen as the overall Cadet of the Year was amazing and made me very proud.’

Chief Superintendent Chris Bourlet said: "The VPC Jack Petchey Award Ceremony is a fantastic celebration of the good things young people are capable of. We often hear about the problems with London's youth, but I was struck by how many great stories there are demonstrating that the VPC is full of truly remarkable young people. It was an honour, along side many of my Borough Commander colleagues, to present the awards at a brilliant event."