Cape Town: Cadets have moved up during the ranking ceremony. Over 80 cadets have received ranks this weekend at the Youth Cadet Programme. It was first introduced as a Metro Police Department social crime prevention initiative in 2013.
Reportedly, after a break in the programme forced by the pandemic, it has since moved to the Public Safety Training College and is once again growing from strength to strength.
The 82 cadets from the Public Safety Training College received ranks that include:
- Divisional Commander
- Company Commander
- Unit and Section Commanders
- Master Cadets
- and, Others moving up within the levels
The Safety and Security Directorate of the City of Cape Town works in partnership with the Western Cape Education Department and Safe Schools to identify suitable candidates for the programme. It includes learners who display potential, leadership skills, and a commitment to their schooling.
Notably, aim of the ranking structure is to create clear roles and responsibilities with lines of accountability. It promotes leadership development by allowing cadets to take ownership of specific duties. It ensures effective coordination of activities, while creating strong leadership skills and supportive discipline. This fosters personal growth and influences work readiness within the policing discipline.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith stated that the directorate has shown an incredible commitment to youth development within the Metro. It takes real discipline and a deep commitment towards the youth to ensure that programmes are supported a decade or more after it was first started.
The value they added cannot simply be measured in numbers, as every life changed through the cadet programme has a cascading effect that changes the course for siblings, family members and hopefully the communities.
According to Smith, they have seen the impact of a young inspirational person that can have in their communities through Law Enforcement, Metro Police and Traffic, and more recently through LEAP and the NSOs. They gave a salute of thanks that goes to the college and those at the head, for their commitment to the cadet programme, the camps and developing the youth.
He also extended his gratitude to the families, without whose support they won’t have the opportunity to engage with these young people and helped them to shape their futures.
The cadet programme is rolled out over five phases, which includes:
- Recruitment and Selection Phase
- Foundational Phase
- Development Phase
- Leadership Phase
- Exit Phase
Aside from the 82 seniors which were ranked, there are also 66 juniors, and all are in various phases of their training programme at the college which include navigation, agriculture, arts and culture, community service, communication, professional conduct, first aid and music.