Surrey Police’s New Constables and Cadets Get On Parade

Published on: 4 Apr, 2017
Updated on: 7 Apr, 2017

Surrey Police’s newest recruits at their passing out parade

Surrey Police welcomed its latest police officer recruits into the force on Thursday (March 30, 2017) with a ceremony held at Guildford Cathedral.

A police press release stated: “This was a momentous occasion which marked the end of months of hard work and training, giving the officers the opportunity to shine in front of their proud family and friends.”

The evening included a passing out parade which saw the 41 probationers marching with the Royal Artillery Band before being inspected by Chief Constable Nick Ephgrave.

After this the new officers were presented with “Independent Patrol Status” in the ceremony that followed.

The parade followed one held on Tuesday (March 31) which saw Surrey Police’s newest volunteers being officially recognised at the county’s first Volunteer Police Cadets attestation ceremony.

The first cohort of cadets, aged between 13 and 17, attended their own attestation ceremony to mark the successful completion of their initial training. All cadets gave an oath and were presented with a certificate by Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Helen Collins.

Police and crime commissioner David Munro “proud to support” the police cadets

Surrey’s police and crime commissioner (PCC), David Munro has congratulated over 70 teenagers who last week became the county’s first official Volunteer Police Cadets.

The first three units are based across the county at three host schools in Epsom and Ewell, Runnymede and Woking run by voluntary leadership teams of officers, staff and Police Support Volunteers. Surrey Police is currently looking to expand the VPC Scheme to a total of six units across the county.

Almost all of the initial 90 places were filled and the cadets attend weekly two-hour sessions during term time.

As well as gaining a knowledge and experience in policing they will develop inter-personal skills and confidence and have the opportunity to achieve qualifications such as Duke of Edinburgh awards.

The cadets came from units at: Epsom and Ewell, Runnymede and Woking

Sgt Graham Kerslake, volunteer cadet coordinator for Surrey Police, said: “I am immensely proud of the scheme and our existing cadets, of being there from the start and seeing first-hand the progress the cadets are making and now being in the position where we are ready to expand.

“In the five months that our VPC scheme has been running we have already had numerous positive comments from parents about the positive affect that being a cadet is having on not only the cadet as an individual, but their family as well.”

PCC David Munro said: “The National Volunteer Police Cadet scheme is a brilliant programme that benefits both teenagers taking part and the wider public.

“The scheme encourages young people from all walks of life, to gain valuable skills in policing as well as inspiring them to engage positively with their communities, all whilst improving their employability.

“Following the decision to re-introduce the cadet scheme, myself and my office were proud to support this by offering funding for both the new cadet uniforms and the dedicated sergeant post to lead the cadets.

“I am strongly committed to doing all we can to offer young people in Surrey the opportunity to take an interest in their local community and ultimately help open doors to allow them to pursue a future career in policing.”

To find out more about joining Surrey Police as a volunteer or Police Officer, visit the recruitment pages of our web site. You can also find out more about Surrey Police’s Cadets here.