With demands on the rise for more Police officers, a few young Bermudians have stepped forward to learn the ropes with the Police Cadets.

"The Bermuda Police Cadet School is used to introduce young Bermudians to the Police force as a future job," said Sgt. Minton Gilbert, the officer in charge of the Police Cadets.

The Bermuda Police Cadets must go through two years at the Bermuda College before enlisting. They complete an Associate Degree for which their college tuition is paid by the Bermuda Police Service.

Once the Cadet programme is completed, Cadets sign a contract to serve three years with the Service as a Constable and are posted in different divisions around the Island.

The facilities available to them at the Police Headquarters in Prospect include a common room, a library for research and classrooms.

During breaks from the college, the young Police hopefuls are assigned to various departments in the force and they become exposed to Police work as well as physical training.

Yesterday, the students were attending a Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE) seminar at Police Headquarters and two students spoke to The Royal Gazette about their experiences with the Cadets.

"This is actually a good time, most of the time and everyone really holds together and works as a team which makes it a more enjoyable experience," said Aaron Jackson a Cadet who is starting his final year at Bermuda College.

Cadet Erica Frith also said that the Cadets work very hard to pull together.

"I didn't expect this much hard work but we're a learning team and our work here brings us together. We're here to work for the community and we need good communication as a team, or how are we to communicate with the community."

In the future Ms Frith does wish to continue with the Cadets and wants to focus on forensic sciences. Mr. Jackson, however, did not know if he wanted to continue after his contract with the Police service.

"I don't know if I could put up with all the things Police have to deal with," Mr. Jackson said.

To be eligible for the Cadet programme candidates must be Bermudian or the spouse of a Bermudian, be between the ages of 16 and 21 and be in good physical and mental health.

"People must be prepared for the hard work and remember that patience is a virtue," Ms Frith said.