SCENE of crime officers (SOCOs), safety and communication were some of subjects schoolchildren found out about when they undertook West Mercia Police’s Junior Cadets course.
The group of 12 pupils from Aston Fields Middle School graduated at a special passing out ceremony on Monday after the weekly sessions.
As well as being handed their certificate, the youngsters also put on a special presentation for parents, teachers and police officers to showcase what they had learned.
Among their newly-acquired skills are being able to use the phonetic alphabet, knowledge of the 999 and 101 police systems and the importance of the police’s control and command centre and the radios which link it to the officers.
Children were also given the chance to carry out a role play of an accident scene, using their communication skills learnt in a previous week.
A safety session saw the pupils taught about home security, looking after themselves, staying safe online and the ‘stranger danger’ message.
And a SOCO came in to speak to the children about their role, forensic laboratory technicians and gaining footprint, fingerprint and other evidence.
Some pupils got to dress in forensic suits and had a go at using swab kits.
In the final week, the group visited Bromsgrove Fire Station, getting to ride there in a police public order van and finding out about firefighters and the equipment they use.
PCSO Denise Thompson, who organised and co-ordinated the scheme, said: “They were all really enthusiastic – they loved learning the phonetic alphabet and were very excited about riding in the police van.
“We had a gap for half-term before the passing out parade so did not have much time to put the presentations together but they all did superbly.
“We may have seen some of the police officers of the future.”
Any other schools wanting to organise Junior Cadets courses for their pupils can visit westmercia.police.uk or speak to their Safer Neighbourhood Team officers to find out more.
