Cheshire volunteer Police Cadet of the year

Leah Foote, 17, has been awarded the prestigious Cheshire Volunteer Police Cadet of the Year award.

Leah was surprised and delighted when she was presented with the award by Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts and Celvyn Jones, Chief Officer of the Special Constabulary.

Leah was selected for going above and beyond her required volunteering hours, working tirelessly to attend numerous community events, engaging and working with the public; and for her strong commitment and promotion of Cheshire Constabulary and the Volunteer Police Cadets.

Chief Inspector Sarah Heath, Head of Public Participation said; “Leah should be very proud of her award; we have a very high calibre of cadets, so this is an exceptional achievement”.

Leah said; “Winning cadet of the year was a very proud moment for me and proves that I am capable of being committed and focused”,

She added; “The Cadet Programme has benefited me in many ways, but most of all I think it helped me come out of my shell and made me a much more confident and outgoing person. When I first started cadets, doing a presentation in front of the other cadets was daunting, but I can now speak in public without being shy.

“The programme has also given me more knowledge about policing. It’s been my ambition since I was seven to join the police, and being in the cadets has confirmed this is definitely what I want to do”.

The Volunteer Police Cadet Programme provides an opportunity for young people aged 15 to 18 to join the policing family, giving them an insight into community policing. The programme has been designed to help young people develop key life skills, enhance their CVs and prepare for future careers.

Emma Kerr the Cadet Co-ordinator said “I am exceptionally proud, not just of Leah but of all the cadets who between them completed over 530 hours of volunteering in Cheshire communities. Leah’s contribution was always highly praised by the staff and officers that she worked with and she is a credit to the cadet programme.

“We are delighted that she is planning to remain with us as a graduate cadet to continue her fantastic work.”

Anyone wishing to join the Voluntary Police Cadet Programme can find out more details on the Cheshire Constabulary website.

http://www.cheshire.police.uk/jobs/police-support-volunteers/volunteer-police-cadets/