New police cadets welcomed to the frontline

26/2/07
Police Minister John Kobelke today welcomed 42 police cadets to join WA Police under a new traineeship program to help boost police numbers.
Mr Kobelke said the cadets would be part of the State Government's commitment to boost police numbers by 350 in this term of Government.
"Already we have had 200 new officers join WA Police through the overseas recruitment campaign launched last year," he said.
"The cadet program provides high-school leavers with a paid training opportunity that gives them exposure to the policing profession, while being mentored by serving officers.
"Today's cadets, provided they are successful in meeting training requirements, will be offered places in the academy's recruit training program.
"Of course, it will take many of the cadets considerably less time than six months to graduate as fully sworn officers, as they will be completing many of the training modules required in recruit school during the cadet program.
"The goal is for all cadets to advance into the recruit program, on completion of their cadet training.
"The previous cadet scheme - which has not been in operation for more than a decade - was the means by which some of our current senior officers came into the WA Police."
The Minister said policing was a tough job that often called on officers to do extraordinary things and sometimes put their lives in danger.
The mentored on-the-job training the cadets would undertake would give them an insight into policing and an opportunity to join the best police in Australia.
"Even better for these cadets, they will be able to gain this experience and be paid full-time," Mr Kobelke said.
Another intake of cadets is planned for February next year.
Minister's office - 9222 9211