Student Police Cadet
spcsecretariat@gmail.com www.studentpolicecadet.org
The Student Police Cadet (SPC) Project is a school-based initiative by Kerala Police, implemented jointly by the Departments of Home and Education, and supported by Departments of Transport, Forest, Excise and Local Self-Government. The project trains high school students to evolve as future leaders of a democratic society by inculcating in them, respect for the law, discipline, civic sense, empathy for vulnerable sections of society and resistance to social evils. The project also enables youth to explore and develop their innate capabilities, thereby empowering them to resist the growth of negative tendencies such as social intolerance, substance abuse, deviant behavior, and anti-establishment violence. Equally, it strengthens within them commitment towards their family, the community, and the environment.
The Project was launched on August 2, 2010 in 127 high schools/higher secondary schools across Kerala, with 11,176 students, both boys and girls, enrolled as Cadets and 254 teachers trained as school-level Community Police Officers (CPOs).. The project was gradually expanded to more and more schools due to immense popularity and ready acceptance by schools, teachers, students, parents, civil society, alike. As on today, April 2020, as many as 702 schools located in 19 police districts of Kerala with a combined strength of 60,000 cadets and 1404 CPOs have implemented the project.
Union Home Minister has announced on 21st July, 2018, that the SPC project developed by the Kerala Police has been selected for implemention in all the States and Union Territories of India. His announcement came during the inauguration of SPC project in Haryana.
Objectives
1.To mould a generation of youth who willingly respect and abide by Law, and who practice civic sense, democratic behavior and selfless service to society as the natural way of life.
2.To facilitate development of good health, physical and mental fitness, self-control and discipline in youth, thereby enhancing their capacity for hard work and personal achievement.
3.To enable youth to work with police and other enforcement authorities including Forest, Transport, and Excise in preventing crime, maintaining law and order, promoting road safety, and improving internal security and disaster management.
4.To develop social commitment in youth and empower them against deviant behavior in themselves and others, thereby preventing growth of social evils such as drug and alcohol abuse, intolerance, vandalism, separatism, and terrorism in society.
5.To enable youth to explore and develop their inner potential in achieving success, by inculcating in them leadership, teamwork skills, innovative thinking and problem solving ability.
6.To increase knowledge and understanding of effective use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) among youth, preventing its negative influence and enabling them to benefit from the vast potential of ICT.
7.To motivate youth to develop secular outlook, respect for other's fundamental rights and willingness to carry out their fundamental duties as enshrined in the Constitution of India by developing in them qualities of Patriotism, Open-mindedness, Large-heartedness, Inclusiveness, Capability and Effectiveness (POLICE).
Unique Features of SPC Project
1.An association between the educational and security frameworks of a state, that trains and encourages youth to develop respect for law and abiding by law as a way of life.
2.Uses existing network, infrastructure and leadership qualities of Police to supplement the physical, mental and educational development of youth.
3.Empowers school communities to create safe school environments and confident youth willing to act against social evils.
4.Stimulates parents and community leaders to work with police in creating safer communities.