Volunteer Police Cadets welcome Commissioner during UK Parliament Week
Chelmsford and Maldon Volunteer Police Cadets were delighted to host Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) Roger Hirst last week during UK Parliament Week.
The visit by Mr Hirst aimed to inspire young cadets to engage more actively with local democracy and understand the importance of citizenship.
Learning about citizenship and democracy directly is a vital part of the cadets’ development. Insights from county leaders help young people understand how local decisions are made and how they can influence change.
Cadet Leader Becky said: “We were pleased to welcome Mr Hirst to our group and to exchange ideas and views from a young person’s perspective on the six priorities within the PFCCs Police and Crime Plan for 2025–28.”
Head Cadet Cleo added: “The Cadet Unit enjoyed this opportunity to discover more about the role of our PFCC and to have our own input on the online survey asking for views on behalf of our families on the Council Tax precept funding for our local policing service in Essex for the years ahead.”
The Essex Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) programme brings together young people aged 13–16 with police officers and local professionals. The initiative focuses on:
- Learning about citizenship and democracy
- Personal development and community engagement
- Building confidence and life skills
Cadets are welcome from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, ethnicity, ability or disability, and whether they aspire to a career in policing or not. Many of our cadets join us to reconnect with their community or to find positive opportunities after facing challenges in the past.
The goal of cadets is not solely to recruit future police officers, but to give every young person the chance to:
- Be heard
- Support their community
Develop skills to become responsible, engaged citizens in a fun and friendly environment