Businesses, organisations and councils in the Flintshire area have given their backing to a scheme which supports young people wanting to become North Wales Police Volunteer Cadets in South Flintshire.
Castle Cement, Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch, Buckley Town Council, Community Safety Partnership JAG, NWPโs Womenโs Association, Mold Town Council, Police and Community Trust (PACT) and Mold Rotary Club all showed their support by sponsoring the uniforms of the 10 new Volunteer Police Cadets.
The young volunteers were welcomed into the Eastern Division by the Assistant Chief Constable Ian Shannon, Commander of the Eastern Division Ruth Purdie and by guests. And it was a proud evening, not just for the new Cadets, but also for their family, friends, police and the sponsors.
It is the first time that local businesses, councils and organisations have supported such a scheme which grew from an idea from a meeting between the Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom, local district Inspector Alun Oldfield and Sergeant Katie Quinn.
After months of groundwork and linking in to the force Volunteer Cadet Sergeant Melanie Brace, the idea was brought to fruition.
When the successful cadets were welcomed into the force, each of them had their particular sponsors logo embroidered on to the sleeve of their uniform.
Every Wednesday the cadets will meet at Mold Police Station where they will follow a two year training course. This will see them undertake a variety of things including assisting at events, and they will follow a Duke of Edinburgh award.
โI am very proud to welcome the Cadets to South Flintshire and each of them has done extremely well,โ said Insp Oldfiled who went on to explain that each of the teenagers had to go through a formal interview to be accepted. โOver the next two years Sgt Katie Quinn will be supervising the Cadets and we already have an array of activities lined up for them.โ
At the welcome evening, each of the Cadets gave their reasons as to what urged them to take an interest in the scheme and force. Many were interested in pursuing a career in the force, and having the opportunity to give something back to the community they grew up in.
Chief Supt Ruth Purdie is Commander of the Eastern Division and welcomed the cadets. She said: โI have great pleasure in welcoming the new cadets as the youngest members of our policing team in Eastern.โ
โIn 1979 North Wales Police gave me an opportunity to become a police cadet and gave me the most fantastic opportunities and career as a result. Young people joining the NWP cadet scheme have an equal opportunity to develop as responsible young people and I know if they put a lot into it they will get a great deal out of it.โ
Chief Supt Purdie added: โI would like to thank all the sponsors for the support and opportunity that they have given the youngsters through their sponsorship."
