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Cadet Scheme

Our cadet scheme commences in September each year, with recruitment for the scheme usually taking place between April and July. Vacancies are advertised in the local press.

If you are a young person aged 16 and considering a career in the Police Service, our Cadet Scheme could be just what you are looking for.

All candidates will be required to undertake the standard entrance test. The test is divided into three papers - language, numeric skills and information handling. Specimen test papers are included in the application packs to give candidates an idea of what they will be asked to do.

Candidates must pass all three papers. Generally the possession of four Standard Grade passes at bands 1-3, including English and Mathematics, would indicate a candidate's potential to pass this examination.

Candidates who are successful in passing the examination will be required to undertake a basic fitness test. The test consists of sit-ups, press-ups, tricep dips, bench jumps and running. The test will measure both stamina and determination. An assessment day will follow where candidates will participate in a number of tests. The final step in the selection process is a full medical examination.

The aim of the cadet programme is to assist young people to become police officers. To achieve this aim Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary will endeavour to:

• improve the cadets' confidence and people skills
• give them a broad knowledge of the force area and the duties of a police constable
• assist them to gain further qualifications including a SVQ in Business Administration Level 3 and a European Computer Driving Licence
• introduce them to our partner agencies.

During the twelve to twenty four month training programme the cadets will be seconded to each of the following departments and stations for periods of eight weeks:

• Police HQ, Cornwall Mount, Dumfries
  During this eight to sixteen week secondment the cadets will spend the majority of their time within the Force Communications Centre. Here they will be trained to use the communications system and will receive calls from members of the public. They will be expected to deal with these enquiries in a professional and appropriate manner. This experience will improve the cadets' communication skills and build upon their confidence.
• Loreburn Street Police Office, Dumfries
  Situated within Dumfries town centre, this is a busy office where cadets will work within the public counter. They will be expected to assist members of the public with their complaints and enquiries. Cadets will also be able to work with the administration support, traffic wardens, court team, co-ordination unit and productions officer. This secondment will improve the cadets' interpersonal skills as they learn to deal with difficult situations.
• Galloway Division
  Based at Stranraer or Newton Stewart police office, the cadets will work within the public counter and will assist members of the public with their complaints or enquiries. They will also gain experience with the community safety officers, court officer, traffic wardens, roads policing unit and the crime management services.
• Road Safety Unit, Police HQ, Dumfries
  During this secondment the cadets will work with the road safety officer and will participate in a number of presentations to various groups. The cadets will be involved in road safety initiatives, school/community talks and local events. One such local event is Operation Safety, which is an annual three week project which involves all of the emergency agencies providing practical scenarios. These scenarios include inputs from the Ambulance Service regarding how to place an injured person into the recovery position and from Scottish Power regarding the dangers of approaching electric substations. This event is attended by the Primary 7 classes from every primary school in Dumfries and Galloway. A total of 1500 school children attend this event every year.
• Outside Agencies
  During this eight week secondment the cadets will spend a week with our partner agencies including the Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, Alzheimer's Scotland, Social Work Department and the Procurator Fiscal Service. The purpose of this secondment is to illustrate to the cadet the importance of joint working and giving them the knowledge of how the police can assist these other agencies and how they can assist the police.

During these secondments the cadets will probably reside outwith their home town and on these occasions they will stay with accommodation providers who have volunteered to offer them a family environment.

We believe strongly in Investing in People and during their training the cadets will complete a NVQ in Business Administration Level 3 and attain a European Computer Driving Licence. Both qualifications will assist the cadets with their future careers.

The force will also assist the cadets to obtain their driving licence and will subsidize 75% of the cost for a maximum of 15 lessons with an instructor from the British School of Motoring and for their theory test and driving test.

On appointment with effect from 1 September 2003, salary is determined by age:

Age	Salary
Under 17 years	£6,201 per annum
17 years	£6,582 per annum
18 years or over	£7,323 per annum

Cadets wear uniform when on duty which, with the exception of footwear, is provided free of charge.

On reaching 18 years of age, cadets will have the opportunity to apply for a position within the regular force. They will not be required to re-sit the standard entrance test. They will be required to undergo the other parts of the process. Transfer to the regular force is also based on satisfactory progress during the cadet programme.