17-year-old Ashley Greatorex from Monk Bretton may look and act like your average student; socialising with friends and fishing in his spare time, but as well as that, the Barnsley College pupil also helps promote the law as a police cadet for South Yorkshire Police.

Ashley, who is in his first year of a Public Services National Diploma, joined the Force as a cadet back in September 2008. Knowing that he wanted to work for the police in his later career, he became a cadet to gain experience and give him a better chance of achieving his dream job; an officer within the Armed Response Team.

Dearne Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) has been helping Ashley achieve this goal by allowing him to spend a couple of days within the SNT, shadowing Children and Young Person Officer Steve Maddock.

PC Maddock demonstrated how the SNT incorporate policing in schools to proactively promote safety messages and deal with any incidents of criminal activity which may arise involving students.

On previous cadet days, Ashley has been introduced to the South Yorkshire Police Mounted Section, dog handlers and met a police self defence expert where he was shown basic techniques of how an officer maintains their safety in confrontational situations.

Cadet Ashley Greatorex said: “The police cadet course is a stepping stone for me to achieve my dream career. I have really enjoyed the opportunities I have had so far and the experience I have gained along with my fellow cadets and I’m sure they’ll be many more to come. I would recommend the course to anyone interested in joining the police service.”

Recruitment for September 2010 police cadets will take place shortly and anyone aged between 16-17 years is welcome to apply.

Exact dates have not yet been set but please keep visiting www.southyorkshire.police.uk then ‘cadets’ for updates.