Special vote of confidence for Charland's work
A volunteer police cadet’s excellent efforts in helping a crime-fighting charity’s mission to build safer communities has been recognised.
Charland Brain’s work earned a special vote of confidence from Durham City’ s Free men as she embarks on a career as an apprentice youth worker employed by the police.
The 16-year-old, who lives in Chester-le-Street, devoted two years of her spare time to supporting the work of the Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC), during which she logged 100 percent attendance.
Her commitment and determination to succeed so impressed the freemen’s charitable trust they offered her a £300 bursary to buy laptop software and other equipment needed in the first year of the two-year apprentice ship based at Derwentside College.
Durham Constabulary’ s apprentice ship scheme has been running for five years and the 20 cadets who have successfully completed the course have found employment.
Among them are two who became full-time police officers, two are special cons tables, six are Police Community Support Officers and two went on to become teachers.
DAAC – a partnership launched more than 30 years ago involving the public, private and voluntary sectors – has 75 cadets, aged from 11 to 18, and they are looking for more to help deliver crime prevention initiatives, assist with public safety events and get involved in community projects.
Six cadets applied for apprenticeships, with Charland scoring the highest marks.
All apprentice s work directly with primary schools, deliver instructions to‘ mini-police officers’ on internet safety and get involved in projects helping to steer youngsters away from crime.