Volunteer cadets
South Yorkshire volunteer police cadets represent the force at community events and participate in a variety of activities and formal training, as well as learning about various roles within the police.
Applications for cadets
Recruitment is now open and will close on 30 April 2025.
To apply, click here.
All secondary schools will be notified, and posts will appear on our social media channels with a link to the application form.
What you will learn as a cadet
During the scheme you will explore the following subjects:
- citizenship
- personal development
- police powers
- road safety
- personal safety
- diversity issues
- crime prevention
- drug law and connected issues
- radio/communications
- theft/criminal damage
- public order/sporting events
Expectations of cadets
You will be expected to:
- dress smartly and wear appropriate uniform when attending cadet evenings and other events
- adhere to force policy on dress and personal appearance at work, which covers hair - for example no shaved areas/patterns, natural coloured hair only, long hair tied up in a bun - facial hair, jewellery, cosmetics and tattoos
- supply your own plain black shoes/boots which must be worn with black socks
- attend a weekly district meeting held on a Wednesday evening and volunteer for additional activities that may take place at evenings and weekends
- be punctual at all times and inform the cadet manager if delayed for any reason
- participate in no acts likely to bring discredit on either the South Yorkshire Police volunteer cadets or South Yorkshire Police
- successfully pass a probationary period
Please note that you may also be subject to background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Eligibility
- You need to be 15 years old by 31 August 2025 and no older than 17 years of age by 31 May 2026.
- You need to live in South Yorkshire.
Induction
All successful candidates must attend a two-day mandatory induction programme.
The 1st induction day will be on either 31 July or 18 August 2025.
The 2nd induction day will be on either 1 August, 19 August or 21 August 2025.
Start date
The next cadet programme starts on 3 September 2025.