North Yorkshire Police Volunteer Police Cadets

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VOLUNTEER POLICE CADETS: CODE OF CONDUCT & EXPECTATIONS

As a member of the Volunteer Police Cadets, you are a representative of West Yorkshire Police. It is crucial that as a representative of West Yorkshire Police you demonstrate high standards of behaviour at all times. The standards outlined below are the standards you must therefore adhere to:

Behaviour – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet acts in a disciplined and orderly manner. They observe any reasonable instructions or restrictions requested by Cadets Leaders or any other member of staff.

Honesty and Integrity – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet must be honest and act with integrity. They should not abuse their position as a representative of West Yorkshire Police.

Respect and Courtesy – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet acts with self-control and tolerance, treating members of the public, colleagues and staff with respect and courtesy at all times. The VPC will not tolerate any bullying, aggressive, overbearing or violent behaviour.

Equality and Diversity – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet acts with fairness and impartiality. They do not discriminate unlawfully or unfairly on the grounds of an individual’s nationality, gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age or disability.

Duties and Responsibilities – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet is diligent in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities.

Attendance – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet will arrive promptly in time for all Cadet Unit meetings and VPC activities. A Cadet who pledges to attend a West Yorkshire Police Cadet commitment must do so unless there are exceptional circumstances, and, in these cases, a staff member must be informed as soon as possible. Staff will review the membership of any Cadet who fails to attend meetings without offering a reasonable explanation.

Appearance – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet should always be well presented, clean and tidy whilst participating in VPC activities. When required to do so, Cadets will wear the uniform provided to them, ensuring it is ironed, cleaned and presented to the required standards. West Yorkshire Police Cadet uniform is not to be worn in public unless permission has been given to do so. Cadets are not permitted to chew gum whilst participating in VPC activities.

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Confidentiality – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet must treat information with respect.

Discreditable Conduct – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet will not, under any circumstances, behave in a manner that discredits the police service or undermines public confidence. A West Yorkshire Police Cadet reports any action taken against them for a criminal offence, conditions imposed by a court or the receipt of any penalty notice. Any Cadet whose behaviour at any time may bring the West Yorkshire Police Service into disrepute, or who displays an adverse image of the West Yorkshire Police Cadet scheme, shall have their membership reviewed.

The Policing Principles

Every person working for the police service must work honestly and ethically. The public expect the police to do the right thing in the right way. A West Yorkshire Police Cadet must abide by the Code of Ethics for the police service, and they are expected to base their decisions and actions on the nine policing principles:

Accountability You are answerable for your decisions, actions and omissions. Fairness You treat people fairly. Honesty You are truthful and trustworthy. Integrity You always do the right thing. Leadership You lead by good example. Objectivity You make choices on evidence and based on your best professional judgement. Openness You are open and transparent in your actions and decisions. Respect You treat everyone with respect. Selflessness You act in the public interest.

Discipline Procedure

Any Cadet who is in breach of the required standards may have their membership reviewed and possibly revoked.

Disciplinary action will result in one of the following 5 outcomes, depending on the nature of the misconduct and the type of action taken (see Disciplinary Procedures Table at 3.2):

A. Verbal Warning B. Written Warning C. Final Written Warning D. Suspension E. Dismissal

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Outcome A will be dealt with by a VPC Cadet Leader. Outcome B will be dealt with by the District VPC Co-ordinator. Outcomes C, D and E will be decided as a result of a meeting of a Discipline Panel.

Incident Action Outcome Minor Misconduct Verbal Warning A (3 x A = B)

Misconduct Written Warning B (and/or 3 live Verbal Warnings)

Further Misconduct Written Warning B

Persistent Misconduct Discipline Panel C, D, E (3 or more misconducts of a nature that could attract a Written Warning)

Serious Misconduct Discipline Panel C, D, E

All Verbal, Written and Final Written Warnings will be given a specific duration period. Warnings within this period are considered to be ‘live’. Consideration will only be given to warnings which are currently still ‘live’ and which have not expired.

The type of action taken will be proportionate to the nature and/or frequency of the misconduct. A minor breach will attract lesser action than a persistent or serious breach.

Depending on the nature of the misconduct, it may be decided to give any of the above disciplinary outcomes without first going through any of the previous stages. A single serious breach may result in direct review or revocation of membership.

A Cadet’s parent/guardian/carer will be informed of all outcomes except Verbal Warnings.

All misconduct outcomes will be recorded on the relevant Cadet Intervention Meeting (CIM Form) and placed on the Cadet’s file.

A Cadet who has been issued with a Final Written Warning or suspended for a specified period by a Discipline Panel may appeal this decision to the Chief Inspector for the district in which their VPC unit is situated.

A Cadet who has been dismissed from the VPC scheme on the authority of a Discipline Panel may appeal this decision to the Citizens in Policing Hub Chief Inspector. This review will be paper based. However, the Chief Inspector may reserve the right to see the Cadet in question and any other relevant parties where they feel this would be of assistance to that review.

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VOLUNTEER POLICE CADETS

Code of Conduct and Expectations

Declaration

Volunteer Police Cadet

I understand and accept that in the event of me breaching any part of the Code of Conduct and Expectations, or by acting in a manner deemed to be detrimental to the reputation of West Yorkshire Police, then I shall render myself subject to the Volunteer Police Cadets: Discipline Procedure.

Signature……………………………………………………… Date………………

Print Name……………………………………………………..

Parent/Guardian/Carer

I fully consent to my son/daughter/the person in my care or charge participating in the VPC scheme and agree and accept that they will be bound by the Code of Conduct and Expectations whilst participating in the VPC.

Signature……………………………………………………… Date……………….

Print Name…………………………………………………….

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Volunteer Police Cadets

Information Pack for Applicants and their Parents, Guardians or Carers

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Who is this information pack aimed at?

The information contained within this pack is for young people who are applying to join the West Yorkshire Police Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) scheme and their parent(s), guardian(s) or carer(s).

Any additional queries in respect of the VPC scheme that are not covered within this pack can be directed by email to: [email protected]

Overview of West Yorkshire Police

West Yorkshire Police serves approximately 2.2 million people living in one of the five metropolitan districts of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. The physical area, of some 2000 square kilometers or 780 square miles, contains the West Yorkshire conurbation and a network of motorway and trunk roads which allow easy access to and from other population centres.

Overview of the Volunteer Police Cadets Scheme

The Volunteer Police Cadet scheme is a nationally recognised uniformed youth group for young people and runs in West Yorkshire for those aged between 13 and 17 years of age.

The cadets follow a 2 year programme. Each year of the programme runs for 34 weeks in line with the academic year.

The scheme is primarily a youth inclusion and engagement initiative, which encourages young people to develop new skills and improve their self-esteem and self-confidence in the service of our communities.

Young people from all backgrounds are encouraged to join the scheme, including those who may be vulnerable to the influences of crime and social exclusion.

Although the scheme will give young people an insight into a police-related career, the scheme is not intended as a recruitment programme for entry into the regular Police Force or the Special Constabulary. It is about supporting the development of young people and making a difference to communities.

Aims of the Scheme

The aims of the scheme are to:  Encourage the spirit of adventure and good citizenship.  Inspire the cadets to participate positively in their communities.  Promote a practical understanding of policing.  Support local policing priorities through community volunteering projects.

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All cadets will be given the opportunity to achieve the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is a nationally recognised qualification. Recruitment and Selection Process

Who can apply to join the cadet scheme?

To apply to become a cadet, applicants must meet the following criteria:  Be 13 to 17 years of age

 Be in Year 9 or above at school/college at the start of the new academic year in September

 Live in or near the location of a local cadet unit and within the county of West Yorkshire

 Have not completed / not currently enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme

Any young person who meets the criteria above will be considered.

All cadets will leave the scheme at the end of the academic year in which they become 18 years of age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I am not of UK nationality?

Applicants can apply if they do not hold UK nationality. Consideration will be given to how long an applicant has been a resident in the UK and to any restrictions which apply to their stay in the UK. This will be considered on a case by case basis.

Can I still join if I have a disability or specific needs?

West Yorkshire Police welcomes applications from young people of all abilities and backgrounds. If a recruit has special requirements then these will be accommodated wherever possible with considerations being made on a case by case basis. Please provide further details in the application form, so we can consider what steps need to be taken to make adjustments where it is reasonable to do so.

What is the application process to become a Volunteer Police Cadet?

STAGE 1 Any young person who is interested in becoming a cadet will need to complete and submit an online application form via the West Yorkshire Police website. Paper application forms (if requested) should be returned by post or by email to the relevant district.

STAGE 2 All applications will be assessed. Successful applicants will be shortlisted.

STAGE 3 Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a team building day.

STAGE 4 Applicants notified if they have been successful.

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Pre-Recruitment Checks

West Yorkshire Police will conduct background checks on all applicants and immediate family members using police information systems. The purpose of this vetting is not to routinely exclude any young person from membership, but to allow for the management of any risk that is highlighted.

Any issues that have been identified will be risk-assessed by West Yorkshire Police.

Any history of offending i.e. cautions, reprimands, final warnings and minor convictions will not necessarily prevent a young person from joining the VPC scheme. What is important is their desire to engage, their commitment to the scheme and their desire to develop themselves.

However, acceptance onto the VPC scheme does not affect the levels of security vetting that would be required for future applications to West Yorkshire Police. Current national vetting guidelines would still be applied to any future applications.

Training

Each cadet unit meets once a week at a local school or a community venue for a two hour training session during school term-time. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of the venue and training dates from the District Volunteer Police Cadet Co-ordinator.

The weekly training evenings will include:

 Learning about policing duties and skills and basic law  Physical activities  Drill

At the beginning of the programme, the cadets will complete an initial 10 week induction. Upon completion of the induction, the cadets will attend an Attestation ceremony where they will take the ‘Cadet Oath’ and receive a certificate presented by the Assistant Chief Constable who has overall responsibility for the Citizens in Policing portfolio.

In advance of the Attestation ceremony, the cadets will be issued with their cadet uniform. This uniform should be worn at the Attestation ceremony and at all subsequent training sessions and volunteering activities.

Following the induction, the weekly training sessions will include inputs around various aspects of policing, problem solving, social awareness and leadership. This will give cadets the opportunity to speak with different departments within the police service such as Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Dog Section, Firearms Unit, Roads Policing and Scenes of Crime Unit.

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Community Volunteering Events

After the 10 week induction, the cadets will be required to perform a minimum of three hours of volunteering per month, during which they will contribute towards local policing objectives and community initiatives.

Examples of volunteering activities:  Assisting with local community events such as fairs, carnivals, charity races and other local events  Attendance at parades, such as Remembrance Parades  Assisting the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams through leaflet drops, crime prevention initiatives, property marking, community speedwatch and street surveys  Helping as role play volunteers in the training of student police officers and special constables  Specific community projects identified by the cadets themselves  Fund raising activities for a specified charity All of these activities will be fully risk assessed by West Yorkshire Police before they take place. If an activity is provided an external partner, the external partner must supply a risk assessment to West Yorkshire Police before the cadets can participate in the activity. Parental consent will be sought prior to any cadet taking part in an event or activity.

Cadets will always be supervised by cadet leaders whilst engaged in any of these activities. Cadet leaders will have direct contact with the Force Control Room in situations where this requirement has been identified in the relevant risk assessment. Should an unforeseen situation develop, the cadet leaders will have the cadets withdraw from the situation and take them to a place of safety, away from the risk.

Cadets will not be allowed to go out on patrol on full operational duties. Full operational duties can be unpredictable and carry substantial risks. For health and safety reasons it is therefore not possible for cadets to take part in normal front-line policing duties.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award is linked to the West Yorkshire Police VPC scheme. In the first year of the scheme, all cadets will be enrolled in the DofE Bronze programme and in the second year the Silver DofE programme.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award consists of four sections:  Volunteering  Physical  Skills  Expedition

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The cadets will fulfil the requirements of the volunteering, physical and skill sections through their weekly training sessions and monthly community volunteering activities.

The expedition section consists of a practice and a qualifying expedition. The qualifying expedition must fulfil the following criteria:

Year 1 (Bronze): 2 days (including camping overnight for 1 night). Year 2 (Silver): 3 days (including camping overnight for 2 nights).

The costs involved in registering with the Duke of Edinburgh Award and completing the expedition will be met by West Yorkshire Police.

If the cadet attends the majority of the sessions arranged by West Yorkshire Police and completes the expedition they will qualify for the DofE Award.

Cadet Record of Service Books

Each cadet will be issued with a Record of Service Book in which to record what they do as a cadet, their development and achievements. Leaders will help them to fill this in. The cadets can produce the Record of Service Book at job or college interviews as a record of what they have done.

Uniform

Uniform is provided free of charge by West Yorkshire Police. All items of uniform remain the property of West Yorkshire Police and must be returned when the cadet leaves the scheme.

The uniform worn by the cadets will include the following:  Trousers  Wicking shirt  Micro Fleece  Belt  Cap  High-vis jacket  Epaulettes

Cadets are expected to provide their own black boots. Cadets who are unable to afford their own boots can ask for additional support from West Yorkshire Police to supply boots and this will be considered on a case by case basis – this can be discussed with your district cadet co-ordinator.

Cadets will be issued with a pocket note book which will be kept and retained in accordance with West Yorkshire Police requirements.

Scheme Costs

Cadets are asked for a weekly training night subscription of £2. However, inability to pay this amount will not exclude anyone from the scheme. This subscription will be used to subsidise social events and, if need be, transport to social events chosen by the cadets.

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All other costs will be met by West Yorkshire Police.

Cadet Leaders

The cadet units will be supervised by cadet leaders, who will be one of the following:  police officer  special constable  police community support officer (PCSO)  police civilian staff  police support volunteer

All adults working with our cadets must be aged 18 or over and vetted to the appropriate standards by West Yorkshire Police. Their induction training as cadet leaders will include safeguarding training, and they will be given clear guidance on how to work with young people and the behaviour and standards expected of them as cadet leaders.

Health and Safety

The number one priority of West Yorkshire Police is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its cadets.

Under Health and Safety Legislation, West Yorkshire Police has a duty of care to ensure that cadets are not exposed to unnecessary risks through their involvement in the scheme. All activities (both classroom/training based and outdoors) will be risk assessed, and the cadets will always be supervised by the cadet leaders.

Cadets will not be deployed where that risk assessment indicates any risk of conflict or confrontation. Should that risk arise dynamically during any deployment, cadets will be withdrawn from the deployment immediately.

Insurance

Cadet activities and any public liability arising out of them will be covered by West Yorkshire Police’s insurance.

Outdoor adventure activities will only be led by staff or contractors who are certificated and competent to lead and run such activities. Anyone leading outdoor adventure activities will be required to produce their insurance and qualifications to supervise the type of activity being undertaken before the activity takes place.

Transport

Transport to and from the cadet training sessions is primarily the responsibility of the cadets and their parents, guardians or carers.

Where transport is provided it will be provided by West Yorkshire Police or one of its outsourced scheme partners using approved vehicles and drivers.

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Code of Conduct and Discipline Procedure

Volunteer Police Cadets: Code of Conduct and Expectations

Cadets must abide by the Volunteer Police Cadets: Code of Conduct and Expectations. As representatives of West Yorkshire Police, all cadets must demonstrate high standards of behaviour at all times. The standards outlined below are the standards the cadets must adhere to:

Honesty and Integrity – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet must be honest and act with integrity. They should not abuse their position as a representative of West Yorkshire Police.

Duties and Responsibilities – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet is diligent in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities.

Confidentiality – A West Yorkshire Police Cadet must treat information with respect.

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into disrepute, or who displays an adverse image of the West Yorkshire Police Cadet scheme, shall have their membership reviewed.

The Policing Principles

Accountability You are answerable for your decisions, actions and omissions. Fairness You treat people fairly Honesty You are truthful and trustworthy Integrity You always do the right thing Leadership You lead by good example Objectivity You make choices on evidence and based on your best professional judgement Openness You are open and transparent in your actions and decisions Respect You treat everyone with respect Selflessness You act in the public interest

Membership of West Yorkshire Police Cadet scheme confers no additional legal powers to those already held by members of the public. Cadets must not act as if/ imply to members of the public that they hold any official office or hold any additional legal powers. Cadets are classed as volunteers and hold no employment status within West Yorkshire Police.

Any Cadet who is in breach of the required standards is subject to the Volunteer Police Cadets: Discipline Procedure and may have their membership reviewed and possibly revoked.

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