A retired officer has been awarded a certificate of recognition for his work as a volunteer for the Wiltshire Police Cadets.

Ray Pattemore, 77, has been volunteering as the a police cadets leader for the past seven-and-a-half years following a distinguished career with first Avon and Somerset Police and then MOD Police.

This month, he was presented with the Assistant Chief Constable’s Certificate of Recognition for his dedication and commitment as a Wiltshire Police volunteer.

The award paid tribute to Ray’s work as the Cadet leader, his support of the Citizens in Policing Team as well as his enthusiasm and the positive interactions he has with members of the public, helping foster public trust and confidence.

Ray said: “I’ve been in a youth group all my working life since way back in the 1960s when I first joined the police.

“I was with the Red Cross Cadets for 30 years and had my own Red Cross Cadet unit in Bath and the Royal Navy Cadets in Corsham.

“After retiring 19 years ago, I worked for the ambulance service and then the out-of-hours doctors’ service in Chippenham and then I joined as Chippenham Police Cadets leader seven-and-a-half years ago.”

To anyone thinking of joining the Police Cadets, he said: “Definitely join.

“If you want to do something for the community, the Police Cadets is a great way of doing it.”

ACC Mark Cooper, who presented the award, said: “Ray has shown outstanding commitment, dedication and enthusiasm in his work as a volunteer.

“He always looks after the Cadets’ welfare and goes the extra mile for a role he is passionate about.

“I’d like to thank him for his service to Wiltshire Police and the communities we serve.”

The Police Cadets meet every Thursday from 6pm to 8pm at a local school in Chippenham.

The Chippenham Police Cadet unit is the only one currently active in Wiltshire.

The Salisbury and Swindon units are currently suspended due to increased demand on Neighbourhood Policing Teams in the North and South of the county.

But the force says it hopes to be able to reopen the Swindon one soon.

For more information or to apply to be a cadet, visit the police cadet page on the Wiltshire Police website.