Student Police Cadet Project

STUDENT POLICE CADET PROJECTDemocratic Policing for the 21st Century Globalised Society

ABOUT THE SPC PROJECT

The Student Police Cadet project is a Kerala Police initiative that enables high school students to evolve as future pillars of a democratic society by inculcating within them respect for the law, inner capability, self-discipline, civic sense, empathy for vulnerable sections of society and resistance to social evils.

In a Democratic Society:

Law belongs to the people & children inherit it by birth

Each child must grow up with the knowledge that Law exists to ensure his/her safety, security and freedom

S/he must be proud of the law, and not grow up in fear or contempt of Law.

S/he must know that abiding by and enforcing Law is part of general civic responsibility

DEMOCRACY & THE RULE OF LAW

CIVIC SENSE AND CITIZENSHIP

Civic Sense involves Respect for others rights and Responsibility towards family, community and environment

Practice of civic sense is a hallmark of civilization and culture

Disregard of rules and regulations, public dumping of household waste ,spoilage and destruction of environment, are examples of poor civic sense

Early inculcation of civic sense ensures lifelong practice

A high level of civic sense in communities facilitates better policing

DEGENERATION IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

Weakening of family structures and social support mechanisms

Declining moral standards and value systems

Widespread substance abuse and liberal consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants

Decrease in self-confidence and self-esteem in youngsters

These contribute to growth of criminal tendencies and deviant behaviour in youth and exacerbation of social tensions based on caste, class, religion, gender, ethnicity!

CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES IN POLICING

Growing intolerance and sectarianism in society

Increasing anti-establishment violence & religious extremism

Tendency to anti-social and deviant behavior in youth

Abuse/Unsafe use of ICT and Cyber space

All these create major internal security challenges for police organisations everywhere

INDIAS DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDEND- Challenges & Opportunities

Over 50% of Indian population is less than 25 years of age. The inherent power of our youth can be unleashed by proper training that develops within them self-confidence, willingness and capacity for hard work, effectiveness and risk-taking ability

Properly harnessed, this human resource can be expected to propel India towards a leadership role in the global economy by 2030.

On the other hand, if neglected, this community of youth may itself breed anti-social and disruptive elements that could endanger and destabilise democracies.

SPC PROJECT AN OVERVIEW

An association between the educational and security frameworks of the State, that facilitates youth to develop respect for law and practise law-abiding behaviour as a way of life.

Uses existing network, infrastructure and leadership qualities of Police to supplement the physical, mental and educational development of youth

Empowers school communities to create safe school environments and nurture confident youth willing to react against social evils

Encourages parents, teachers and community leaders to work with police in creating safer communities

SPC & Youth Empowerment SPC Project training is designed to:

Promote physical and mental fitness in youth

Boost self-esteem of youth and enhance their inner capabilities through personality development and life skills training

Enable youth to work productively with authorities on issues such as road safety, disaster management, environment protection etc.

Facilitate participation of youth in addressing social issues such as deprivation of fundamental rights, social and gender-based discrimination and so on.

In the long run, the STUDENT POLICE CADET project seeks to evolve a mature society of responsible citizens who respect and follow laws willingly and not by external compulsion!

SPC PROJECT ON THE GROUND

SPC in Action We Learn to Serve is the motto of Student Police Cadets.

These cadets are not a supplement or substitute for the existing police force

But Cadets are encouraged to wear uniform and regulate functions, to understand the purpose and experience the difficulty of enforcement of rules

CURRENT STATUS OF SPC PROJECT* Officially launched in 100 schools in academic year 2010-2011.* As on date, SPC project network involves:Schools: 425 Cadets:34,000 (approx)CPOs (Teachers): 850 DNOs, ADNOS, PSLOs & DIs (Police): 1100 (approx)

IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES

Implemented jointly by Departments of Home and Education, and supported by Departments of Transport, Sports & Youth Affairs, SC/ST Development, Forest, Fire & Rescue, Health, Excise and Local Self-Government.

Supporting Agencies: KELSA, Road Safety Authority, NHM, Suchitwa Mission etc.

SPC PROJECT MANAGEMENT CHART

EXECUTIVE HIERARCHY (District-level)

High School : VIII & IX standard

Higher Secondary Schools : +1 & +2 standard Two platoons of 22 students each. In co-ed schools, one platoon each of boys and girls

Two-year Training Period for each cadet

SCHOOL-LEVEL SPC UNIT

TRAINING COMPONENTS

PHYSICAL TRAINING

INDOOR TRAINING

FIELD VISITS

PRACTICAL TRAINING PROJECTS

CAMPS

PHYSICAL TRAINING

Two days per week of parade drill and outdoor training Route March/Cross-country per monthMartial arts such as Kalari, Karate, Judo, Yoga etc.Games according to availability of time

Enhances physical development and capacity for hard work in youth

INDOOR TRAINING

Digital Audio-visual presentations on:Fundamentals of Indian ConstitutionPolice-related matters & Important lawsNational MovementsContemporary social issuesPersonality development & leadership workshopsInteractions with eminent personalities

Classes and workshops by subject experts and practitioners give cadets an awareness of existing social conditions and ground realities

FIELD VISITS

Police Station, Court, Jail & Fire Station Historical, cultural & national monuments Centers of Science and Technology Hospital, Juvenile and Old Age Homes Media Office Administrative Centers

Such visits to Government institutions provide a better understanding of judicial processes in a democracy

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

PROJECT MY TREE

PROJECT FRIENDS AT HOME

PROJECT SHUBAYATRA

PROJECT KERALA AGAINST ADDICTION

PROJECT RESPONSIBLE WASTE MANAGEMENT KERALA 2022

PROJECT TOTAL HEALTH

PROJECT LEGAL LITERACY

CAMPS

7-day STATE Summer Camp at KERALA POLICE ACADEMY (selected cadets)

5-day DISTRICT Camps during summer holidays (all cadets)

3-day VACATION camps during Onam & Christmas holidays

1-day Nature Camps

NCC & SPC A JUXTAPOSITIONITEMNCCSPCMOTTOUNITY & DISCIPLINEWE LEARN TO SERVEPRIMARY AIMGrooming youth into disciplined and patriotic citizensGrowing youth into a law-abiding communityTHRUST AREAMilitary ServiceStrengthen the POLICE content in each cadetADMINISTERED THROUGHUNION MINISTRY OF DEFENSESTATE HOME & EDUCATION DEPARTMENTSORGANISATIONAL STRUCTUREHIERARCHICALNETWORK MODELFEEDER TO MOTHER ORGANISATIONSecond line of Army,Navy and AirforceNot a feeder organisation to PoliceASSISTANCE TONATIONAL DEFENSEINTERNAL SECURITY

PROJECT ASSESSMENTS & OUTCOMES

SPC A SIEMAT STUDYA statewide assessment of the project by State Institute of Educational Management & Training (SIEMAT), Kerala identified several benefits accruing to schools, students, families and communities, as a result of the SPC project.

IMPACT ON STUDENTS

Improvement in physical fitness, stamina and mental enduranceIncreased vigour, confidence, self-discipline and more responsible behaviourFearless and healthy interaction with police and better understanding of functions and roles of policePositive attitude and readiness to serve othersImprovement in academic performance and better participation in extra-curricular activitiesTime and goal consciousnessWillingness to abide by law and motivate others to do the same

IMPACT ON STAKEHOLDERSSCHOOLSMore disciplined campus communitiesNeat clean and plastic free campusIncreased school enrolment in SPC schools

PARENTSAppreciate law abiding behaviour of their wardsIncreased interest and knowledge in parenting

TEACHERSChange in attitude towards policeRecognise the importance for disciplineIncreased awareness of problems of adolescents

IMPACT ON POLICING

Police officers take on the role of Mentor and Role Model, not only for cadets, but also the entire school community, including parent & teachers. Regular interaction with young and energetic minds has the effect of boosting the morale and self-worth of field-level police personnel, and a positive impact on their attitude.

Also, a community of law-abiding and cooperative citizens pro-actively responsive to the challenges of crime prevention and internal security is in the making as a result of the SPC project.

Todays high school student will become the Citizen and the Policeman of tomorrow. The evolution of a generation familiar with the role of policing and inherent respect for issues of law enforcement will enable more efficient delivery of police services to society in future.

Feedback from Heads of SchoolsNoticeable improvement in SSLC exam performance Increasing demand for new admissions to SPC schoolsClose contact with police improved safety of school campusSPCs assist school authorities in various eventsStudents deterred from indulging in alcohol & substance abuseSPCs often viewed as role models for other studentsStudents more interested in career development Students show more discipline and self-motivation

Feedback from Guardians

Wards show an increase in responsibility , discipline & social awarenessThere is higher physical fitness & more orderliness in daily life among their wardsSPCs show politeness and consideration towards othersStudents show positive attitude to life, more self-assurance & mental alertnessThe cadets exude empathy for old and needy, and greater environmental awareness Children are less angry and more cooperative with family membersChildren found to be helpful and more sociable at home and outside

LIFE GOALS OF CADETSDo social service along with higher studiesWork for needy esp orphansFight substance abuse among fellow studentsJoin administrative service to serve the peopleJoin armed forces to serve the countryBecome a teacher to train new generations of studentsCreate NGO for social workWork for protection of girls and womenFight child labourBecome police officer (SI) to fight social evilsBecome an IPS officer to serve societyWork for better traffic safetyWork for welfare of senior citizensWork for environmental protectionSet up libraries to promote reading habitHelp academically backward studentsBecome a doctor and provide free medical service to poorWork for overall social goodExplain role of police to community membersFight corruption Work with NGO for social service

SPC PROJECT - NATIONAL ATTENTION

National Police Congress 2011 held at Dehra Dun recommended SPC project for nation-wide rollout

Micro-Mission on Community Policing of National Police Mission has developed a model school-based community policing programme for all states of India, based on SPC.

SPC IN RAJASTHANGovernment of Rajasthan has launched a pilot SPC scheme, incorporating one selected Government school in each of the 39 Districts of the state during the academic year 2013-14.

SPC IN HARYANAGovernment of Haryana has announced a pilot SPC project to be implemented in four districts of the State, viz. Karnal, Gurgaon, Kurukshetra and Ambala

SPC IN GUJARAT Government of Gujarat has announced a pilot school-level programme inspired by the SPC project in Kerala

Student Police Cadet Project -A PARADIGM SHIFT IN COMMUNITY POLICING

The SPC project takes community-oriented policing a significant step further by:

Pre-empting development of criminal tendencies among youth, and instilling positive values in youth at an age when they are most susceptible to develop bad habits.

Facilitating the growth of future democratic societies through development of POLICE [Patriotism, Open-mindedness, Large-heartedness, Inclusiveness, Capability , Effectiveness] content in individuals at an early age

Forging sustained and healthy partnerships between the police and communities through increased opportunities for direct interactions with youth

SPC VISION FOR THE NATION 2030

A humane and just community throughout India, wherein citizens respect and follow the Law voluntarily, practice responsible behavior, empathize with weaker sections of society, participate in tackling community issues and resist threats to the environment

Thus, the true value of the SPC Project lies in the far-reaching impact on future India, as the result of proper training imparted today to high school students

JAI HIND