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Dorset’s First Police Cadet Unit To Be Based at The Bourne Academy

The call has gone out for volunteers who want to inspire Dorset’s young people by leading the county’s first volunteer police cadet unit.

The scheme, being set up by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, will be based at the Bourne Academy and will start taking its first recruits this summer.

Volunteers are now being sought to become police cadet leaders who will work directly with Dorset Police to run the scheme.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “We’re looking for people who want to give something back, who can inspire young people to thrive and play a positive role in their communities.

“We want to hear from people who can encourage a young person’s spirit of adventure and, above all, be a role model and help build their confidence as they prepare to go into the world.”

The cadets will be aged 13-18 and be recruited from a wide range of backgrounds across the Bournemouth and Poole areas.

As well as taking part in regular sports and fitness activities, they will also gain a practical understanding of policing and developing their own leadership skills by taking part in community  projects – such as supporting older people to understand cyber crime, fundraising for local charities and assisting with road safety campaigns.

Volunteer leaders will work with the local neighbourhood police team to run the unit, which will also be involved in providing safety and crime prevention advice to the public.

Anyone who wants to apply must be aged 18 or over, have good communication skills and be reliable and self-disciplined, and must be willing to take part in training led by Dorset Police.

Martyn Underhill added: “Volunteer police cadets aren’t about trying to recruit police officers of the future. Far from it – the unit is a marvellous way of enabling the police to engage with young people and the wider community – as well as giving our young people valuable opportunities to learn and be heard.

“I look forward to seeing this unit become a great asset to our neighbourhoods and I hope it goes on to be the first of many across Dorset.”

James Vaughan, Chief Constable of Dorset Police, said: “I’m a great supporter of this initiative to bring young people closer to their local police force.

“I know young people across our communities have a huge amount to offer policing and this is an opportunity to embrace that.”

Anyone who wants to apply to become a volunteer cadet leader should go https://www.dorset.police.uk/recruitment/volunteers/volunteer-police-cadet-leader-unit-leader/

for more information