Cadet leader clinches Lord Ferrers Leadership Award

27 December 2024

Over 13 years of hard work into the reintroduction of police cadets in Suffolk has led to a Federation member winning at the Lord Ferrers Awards 2024.

Earlier in December, PC Trevor Spinlove picked up the Leadership Award at the ceremony, held annually by the Home Office to recognise exceptional voluntary service to the police force.

Since 2010, Trevor has overseen the design and progress of a new cadet programme, creating content for weekly learning sessions together with fellow founding leaders.

This has developed into a full cadet curriculum, allowing leaders and coordinators from across the programme’s eight Suffolk-based units to inspire 13 to 18-year-olds with policing skills and knowledge.

PC Trevor Spinlove picking up his award.

“As soon as I knew the idea of bringing the cadets back was floating around, I was very interested in getting involved,” Trevor said.

“We really took the reins with getting a system in place that the cadets could exist upon, and it is really pleasing to see a lot of the programme able to be traced back to that enthusiasm we had from the start.

“For me, I just wanted teenagers to have that outlet to learn and progress as people – especially those who might come from vulnerable backgrounds – and I think it’s only right that the police provide that.”

Learning content

As a leader of the programme’s Ipswich unit, Trevor has not only been responsible for much of the delivery of learning content to cadets over the years but also a chief organiser and constant figure in community engagement events and residential enrichment trips.

More recent times have seen him take a step back from the week-to-week running of the unit as he has taken his influence to the mentoring of leaders, coordinators and instructors – the latter of which are former cadets wanting to give something back to the programme.

Other young people to have benefited from being a Suffolk cadet have gone on to become both Special Constables – furthering their commitment to police volunteering – and regular officers.

Trevor added: “When we started, we never wanted the purpose of the cadets to be an official training scheme for future police officers, as it was in its first existence.

“Instead, we kept the programme outcomes open, so our cadets would be stood in good stead for whatever they go on to do in life.

Knowledge

“Having said that, it has still been amazing to have contributed to this pipeline and to have brought through a few members of the next generation of policing. It’s something I am very proud to have shared my experience and knowledge towards.

“And to have helped other cadet leaders and pass on some fresh ideas to them has been very enjoyable.

“Credit must go to these leaders for taking these on board and putting them out there – they are the heartbeat of the programme.”

The constable’s body of work around police cadets prompted his Suffolk Constabulary manager, Karen Harris, to nominate him for the Lord Ferrers Awards earlier this year.

Following assessment by a judging panel, Trevor, who is currently training Specials as a Citizens in Policing trainer in his Force role, was named as Leadership winner at the Awards’ London ceremony on Thursday 5 December.

“It was a pleasant shock to be nominated in the first place,” he said.

“To then win – I was completely gobsmacked. I never truly believed I would win. It was such a nice feeling, and I feel really chuffed and honoured.

Cadets

“I think the ultimate aim of the cadets has been for them to take policing back to their homes and communities in a positive light – for them to go and tell people that the police are full of good purpose, despite what they might see or hear elsewhere.

“To have been a part of that for Suffolk, alongside so many other amazing people, has been an absolute privilege, and it is very humbling to be acknowledged for that.”

Echoing these sentiments was Karen, who attended the ceremony alongside Trevor: “I am thrilled that Trevor has been recognised for his commitment and enthusiasm towards the cadet scheme in Suffolk.

“Trev is an amazing role model – not only for our cadets but for the cadet leaders he takes the time to support and advise. This goes a long way to ensuring that everyone across the board knows the police cadet ethos, the important safeguarding processes we need and the many opportunities available to young people in our county.

“The award is something he absolutely deserves, and I’m so glad a light has been shed on his incredible work.”