Chapter 1 – Introduction and Purpose

1. Introduction of Volunteer Police Cadets

• Humberside Police recognises that young people have an important part to play within their community and the police service. We are committed to engaging with children and young people to ensure that they have the opportunity to lead rewarding and productive lives.

• One of the main concerns within communities is anti-social behaviour and the perception that young people are hanging around with nothing to do. However, it is important to note that the majority of young people are not involved in crime or anti-social behaviour and are responsible. Law-abiding citizens who can, and do, make a positive contribution to their communities.

• In January 2017 to create an opportunity to build relationships with young people, Humberside Police introduced the Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme (VPC) as a pilot project in Grimsby and Hull. This was successful and since this time the scheme has grown, and units are now also based in Scunthorpe, Bridlington, Beverley and Goole. The cadets have become an important part of our extended police family and are able to help progress current initiatives and enthusiasm of young volunteers.

2. Aims, Mission Statement and Motto

• The aims of the Volunteer Police Cadets in Humberside Police Are:

• To promote and encourage social action among young people.
• To provide the opportunity for young people to gain new skills and a practical understanding of policing.
• To encourage leadership within young people and develop qualities of good citizenship.
• Support local policing priorities through volunteering and give young people the chance to be heard.

• Our Mission Statement is:

To engage with communities through positive role models and create opportunities for young people to grow, contribute and achieve.

• The Humberside Police VPC Motto is:

“We are all different, but we are different together”

• General Principals:

Each VPC Unit must be sustainable and target the needs of the community they serve. Each VPC Unit should have a balanced mix of:

• Young people including those in need of diversion or guidance.
• Those who already have a strong sense of community spirit and a desire to make a positive contribution to their community and/or Humberside Police.

• Each VPC Unit will be managed locally by Cadet Leaders (of any rank or post within Humberside Police including Community Safety Volunteers and Special Constables) who will have responsibility for running their Unit. However, to ensure consistency of experience across all units and to assist in mitigating any risk to the organisations reputation each unit will be overseen by the Youth Engagement Team’s Community Engagement Coordinators. A quarterly meeting will be held where representatives of each unit will attend. The meetings will be chaired and organised by the Community Safety Unit.

3. Governance Framework of the Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme

• Governance Framework of the Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme
• Below is the governance framework of the Volunteer Police Cadets within Humberside Police.

• Overall accountably of the Volunteer Police Cadets is held with the Assistant Chief Constable of Humberside Police. They will advise the overall strategy and aims of the Cadet Scheme.
• The Community Safety Manager and Community Safety Inspector maintain an overview of the Volunteer Police Cadets ensuring force policies and objectives are implemented within the scheme.
• The Youth Engagement Sergeant and the Community Engagement Coordinator’s provide the day-to-day management function of the Cadet Scheme and coordinate the overall implementation and running of the scheme. The Youth

Engagement Team Coordinator role will include the following. This list is not exhaustive:

• Overall Recruitment and Screening of new Cadets and Cadet Leaders
• Risk Management (where screening has highlighted potential risks)
• Approving of local projects and initiatives
• Approval of officers supervising Cadets
• Attendance Management
• Health and Safety and Welfare Issues

The Youth Engagement Coordinators role will include reviews of the following. This list is not exhaustive:

• Cadet Activities
• Cadet Recruitment – including how to encourage young people from seldom heard communities to become Volunteer Police Cadets
• Volunteer Police Cadet Force Policies
• Training of Cadets and Cadet Leaders
• Cadet Leaders are responsible for the general running of their units and the day-to-day well-being and supervision of their Volunteer Police Cadets during weekly meetings and Cadet activities and events.