Volunteers and police cadets
Volunteer police cadets
The volunteer police cadets (VPC) started in February 2014 with the aim of encouraging the spirit of adventure and good citizenship while inspiring young people to develop knowledge and understanding of the policing role to ultimately participate positively in their local communities.
There are currently 90 cadets aged between 11 to 17 years old. These are split into Junior and Senior groups in the North and South of the County. The cadets are offered to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive regardless of their background. We encourage young people from all backgrounds to join the VPC, including those who may be vulnerable to the influences of crime and social exclusion.
Objectives – by the end of the programme young people will be better able to:
- demonstrate via cadet activities an increase in self-confidence/self-esteem
- show how to utilise the principles of self-discipline
- explain how to maintain health and wellbeing for themselves and others
- outline the roles of the different units/areas that make up Durham Constabulary
- identify key areas of legislation and how offences may affect victims and communities
- identify policing procedures and how these may impact on individuals and communities
- demonstrate the key principles of dealing with a given community policing scenario
- support local policing priorities through volunteering within communities
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic employability skills required to progress into further education/employment
- show individual skills as a leader by being a role model and supporting and developing others
- display a commitment to the values of equality and diversity and to understand and demonstrate the Code of Ethics and the Durham Difference
The cadets are split into four units, each led by cadet leaders from Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC), police staff, including apprentice youth workers, former cadets, project coordinators, police officers and PCSOs, as well as volunteers.
For further information around the VPC scheme, including details of how to apply:
Police support volunteers
Volunteering with Durham Constabulary can provide you with an opportunity to work alongside police officers and staff members. It offers you the opportunity to meet new people and work as part of a team, engage and interact with people from your local community in order to make a positive contribution.
As a volunteer you are helping and supporting our police officers and staff member by providing additional support in the areas that are needed. With your support our police officers and staff members are then able to concentrate on their core policing duties and support the local community.
Police support volunteers are vetted to a level appropriate to the task they carry out.
If you are interested in becoming a police support volunteer with Durham Constabulary, please visit your local police station and speak with the Neighbourhood Policing Team inspector.
We value the commitment of the police support volunteers.