The Mini Police is an innovative police engagement programme aimed at 8-11 year olds.

The Mini Police scheme is a growing part of the VPC family within this younger age range and is operated as a partnership between local Police and Primary schools. 

If you are a primary school interested in setting up Mini-Police then please contact your local policing team.

Not every police force has a Junior Volunteer Police Cadets scheme.

However, a growing number of forces now offer 11-13 year olds the opportunity to join the Junior Volunteer Police Cadets (JVPC). The JVPC are usually based at a school venue suitable for young people to attend. They are primarily an after school or early evening club, but meeting days and times vary from unit to unit.

The JVPC is a fun place to learn a bit more about the police, keeping yourself safe and how to get involved in supporting your community. Many JVPC units also offer first aid and other useful courses.

Every police force in the UK will have a Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) in one form or another. Some are known by a different name, but all police cadet groups operate to the Aims and Principles of the Volunteer Police Cadets. There are opportunities for all young people aged 13 - 18 years old to support their local communities.

Most cadet units have a local school or college as their base, making it a very accessible place for young people to attend.

Whilst every VPC unit offers fantastic opportunities for all young people, they may have different ways of providing those opportunities. There will be a great mix of like-minded young people reflecting the diversity of their local community participating in:

• Developing their life skills

• Meeting new friends

• Social events

• Learning about British policing

• Sporting activities

• Force-wide, UK-wide and even international opportunities

Many VPC units also offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme for their cadets and leaders. The VPC has developed a series of workbooks to assist cadets' understanding of British policing.

The VPC understands that most young people want to do something constructive for their own community. We are the only uniformed group that expects young people to volunteer an average of 3 hours a month in support of local policing and community inspired social action. We will help and support you to lead your own social action projects. The VPC has developed a social action workbook and course to give you the necessary skills so that you and your friends can really make a difference in your community. 

Do you want to develop yourself to lead and inspire young people as Volunteer Police Cadets?

• Can you

• Give some of your own time volunteering as a unit leader?

• Provide guidance and support for the VPC?

• Assist your local Police Force?

• Be part of something exciting in your own community?

Are you...

• Over 18 years old?

• From any background, ethnicity or social group?

• Interested in learning new skills?

• Interested in learning more about your local police?

What the VPC has helped Volunteer Police Cadet Leaders achieve. 

"It's great that I can help and support young people, there is so much mutual respect between us. I've learnt a lot from them and likewise they have from me too! My own leadership and interpersonal skills have developed - my friends and colleagues have noticed a difference in me since becoming a cadet leader."

• The GMP Volunteer Police Cadets program is part of the national Volunteer Police Cadets scheme operated across England and Wales

• The GMP Volunteer Police Cadets program is estimated to have 150 cadets and 40 cadet leaders and a waiting list of approximately 400 cadet applicants

• Some questions you may have may easily be answered by the VPC's FAQs found at vpc.police.uk/faqs

The VPC may be able to assist you with the event. To contact the team simply fill out the form linked here