Police Cadet: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Police Cadet
Practice Interviews Online - Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Police Cadet mock interview, under 10 minutes
Practice Now »What is a Police Cadet?
A Police Cadet is a role for young people looking to gain experience and develop skills within the law enforcement field before pursuing a career as a police officer. As a Cadet, you'll assist with various tasks such as patrolling public areas and supporting community events, while learning about the responsibilities of a police officer in the UK.
Skills
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to work well under pressure and in high-stress situations
- Good problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Attention to detail and ability to follow procedures accurately
- Physical fitness and stamina for long periods of standing, walking, and running
- Ability to work effectively in a team and collaborate with colleagues
- Good judgment and ability to make ethical decisions
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds
- Ability to remain calm and composed in difficult situations
- Good organizational and time-management skills
Qualifications & Education
- No academic requirements for entry to civilian police in the UK
- Eligibility criteria vary across individual police forces
- Entrants must sit an entry test
- Entrants must pass a medical examination
- All police officers undergo a two year probationary training period
- Residency, nationality, and age restrictions apply
- Background security checks are carried out in respect of entrants
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a 14 year old can be a police cadet in the UK as long as they are between the ages of 10 and 18 and meet the requirements to join the volunteer police cadets.
UK Police Cadets teach young people skills in policing and may assist police officers with low-risk activities. The purpose of the program is to encourage the spirit of adventure and good citizenship among its members, not to recruit future police officers.
A police cadet in the UK assists with policing operations and events such as test purchasing, weapons sweeps, crime prevention initiatives, and large scale events. They also attend weekly meetings.
To be a police cadet in the UK, you need to have knowledge of public safety and security, negotiation skills for keeping people safe, patience, the ability to remain calm in stressful situations, and sensitivity and understanding for dealing with traumatic situations.
Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Police Cadet mock interview, under 10 minutes
Practice Now