The latest graduates from the Police Youth Scheme have taken part in a passing out ceremony.

A total of 13 youngsters aged 17 and 18 completed the four-year scheme, which aims to provide an insight into policing and access to a range of experiences at the same time as helping the community.

Meetings are held one evening each week at police headquarters and involve training in various aspects of police work, with sessions covering police radios, custody procedure, the law, scenes of crime procedure and police dogs, as well as joining patrols.

During their time with the police, the youngsters have also:

Supported Special Olympics athletes during training sessions

Taught older people about computers and technology alongside Barclays Digital Eagles

Given crime prevention talks to community groups

Represented the island at a ceremony at Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, while paying tribute to Manx soldiers killed in the First World War

Been given the opportunity to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award and an open water swimming qualification

Provided support at community events including Tynwald Day and Douglas Carnival

Taken part in firearms training

During a speech at the ceremony, which was attended by the cadets’ families, Chief Constable Gary Roberts said: ’The process the cadets have gone through has been transformative and I’m proud the Isle of Man Constabulary is able to cater for the island’s young people in this way.

’What they’ve done is change - they’ve gone from being teenagers, with all that entails, to fine young people.’

Addressing the cadets, he added: ’Whatever you do, and wherever you go, remember your time here with us. Some of you may end up joining the police. You may even end up doing my job. But this hasn’t been about that.’

Thecelebration marked the end of an important process for the youngsters involved.

Cadet Kirsty Walsh said: ’I can honestly say that the skills we have developed have been life-changing and have transformed us into more responsible and capable young adults. The friendships we have made with each other and other members of the constabulary and the public, especially with the leaders, are invaluable.’

Tinesha Kinley said: ’At the beginning of the scheme, we were all nervous about almost every interaction we had with members of the public, other officers and each other, and we were mostly oblivious to the hard work that the constabulary does to keep our Island safe.

’But after two years of being exposed to the world of policing and being put in many situations that challenged us physically and emotionally, we are much more confident and competent members of society.’