Cadets celebrate busy year of activity

Our latest cohort of cadets are celebrating a successful year of activity across the county as they prepare for more achievements in 2025.

The 172 cadets, who are based across the force and are aged 13 to 17, have been hard at work and have helped at:

• A Royal Visit in March 2024 which saw the TRH the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh meet cadets at our headquarters to mark the scheme’s 10th anniversary
• The county show in June which saw the cadets engage positively with the public 
• Our force open day in September, our force awards in November and a number of officers' attestation ceremonies
• A variety of remembrance parades and a number of Bonfire Night-related activities 
• Christmas lights switch-on and the emergency services' carol service in December
• A number of community engagement activities including leaflet drops in Lichfield,
  Tamworth and Burton-on-Trent and fundraising work for mental health and hospice charities

Overall, in 2024, the cadets have carried out a total of 6,419 duties, spending more than 19,000 hours involved in activities in the county. 

A cadet leader was also recognised as Volunteer of the Year for his contribution to the programme at our force awards in November, while Sergeant Ade Bolas saw his work in leading the Cannock unit recognised by HM The King and was invited to a Royal Garden Party in May 2024. 

This year, nine cadet leaders are also due to receive awards recognising their three years of service, with two leaders to be recognised for six years’ service and one for a total of nine years’ service. 

A total of ten new cadet leaders are due to join our ranks in the coming months subject to vetting and training. 

Cadet Volunteer Coordinator, Helen Neeson, said: "The cadets have shown real commitment and dedication to all their activities. 

"They have worked hard as part of a team to achieve some really positive engagement in the community and I'm really proud of their initiative and hard work.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what they can achieve this year and how we can support them to be the best they can be.”

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams, said: “The cadet scheme has been championed by my office since its creation over a decade ago and it has continued to go from strength to strength ever since. 

“It has helped thousands of young people to make a difference in their communities while at the same time developing their own skills and confidence.

“I was proud to witness some of the hard work of the cadets and the cadet leaders throughout 2024, and look forward to seeing what’s in store for them and the scheme this year.”

To find out more about the cadet scheme, visit: https://careers.staffordshire.police.uk/cadets/