ARE you interested in becoming a volunteer police cadet?

If so, Dyfed Powys Police are recruiting now, including in the Newtown and Brecon areas.

The force run a volunteer police cadet scheme throughout the Dyfed Powys area. The scheme is aimed at young people between 14 (year 10 in school) and 17.

Volunteer police cadets get a unique insight into policing, which no doubt benefits their education and work prospects. But they also give back to the force through volunteering at events like the Royal Welsh Show and Remembrance Day services and helping with pre-planned operations.

The scheme aims to: promote a practical understanding of policing; encourage a spirit of adventure and good citizenship; provide volunteering opportunities which help and influence the way the police behave, giving you a voice in your community; and encourage young people to play an active part in their community.

The scheme has not been designed as a way to join the police when you’re 18, but it will give you the opportunity to improve your CV when the time comes to apply for a job or to university.

As a volunteer police cadet, you will be given a unique insight into how the police service works. What exactly is theft? How do the police investigate incidents? How do you use a police radio? You’ll be given a uniform and will learn all about police powers and procedures. You also have the opportunity to assist and influence local policing teams on improving the service we provide to our communities.

We meet for two hours a week, and we expect you to attend every week, actively participating in wide range of activities and events.

You will also have opportunities to work with your local community and to improve it through volunteering. Our volunteer police cadets regularly provide services to our communities, such as bike marking, beach cleaning, and offer crime prevention advice to members of the public. They also assist with operations and events, including trying to buy age restricted goods such as alcohol as part of pre-planned operations, and marshalling fun runs. We ask for a commitment of at least three hours of volunteering every month.

A number of activities are chosen by cadets themselves, so if there is something which is important to you, your leaders will advise and mentor you to lead a positive change in your area.

We currently have units meeting in Newtown, Brecon, Ammanford, Llanelli, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock.

If you would like to apply to join us as a volunteer police cadet, email cadets@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk by June 15, and we'll send you an application pack.

You can also get more information on the volunteer police cadets by visiting www.vpc.police.uk.