A writeup on the farsighted SPC project, the innovative youth development programme by Government of Kerala

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(YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE BY KERALA POLICE )

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I. INTRODUCTION
The STUDENT POLICE CADET Project is a school-based initiative by
Kerala Police that trains high school students to evolve as future leaders
of a democratic society by inculcating within 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.
Implemented jointly by the Departments of Home and Education, and
supported by Departments of Transport, Forest, Excise and Local Self-
Government, the SPC project was launched in August 2010 in 127 schools
across Kerala, with 11176 students - both boys and girls - enrolled as
Cadets (Ref: G.O (P) No 121/2010/Home dtd 29-05-2010). The project
has now been expanded to a total of 247 high schools across Kerala with
a combined strength of over 15,000 SPCs.

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II. WHY STUDENT POLICE CADET PROJECT?
The need for a school-level intervention such as the Student Police Cadet
(SPC) project derives from a combination of philosophic, demographic,
sociological and economic factors that are expected to influence the future
global standing of the nation. The significance of the SPC Project lies in its
potential to positively impact the following:
a. Democratic Policing and Respect For Law
Democracy is a system of governance whereby people adopt, enact
and give to themselves a framework of rules, called Laws, which they
are expected to abide by voluntarily. Ownership of law by a
community implies that children inherit the Law by birth. Children in
a democracy must not grow up in dread of or with contempt for
Law. Rather, these children must be brought up knowing that law
exists for their safety and security, and that obeying Law is part of
their general civic duty. At the same time, in a truly democratic
state, there must occur a paradigm shift in the policing function
from “enforcement” to “facilitation” of law. The SPC project works
to strengthen the Indian democratic framework by enabling youth
to evolve from compulsory obedience to voluntary respect for the
Law.
b. Impact of Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
Rapid developments in Information and Communication Technology
contain immense opportunities as well as threats to contemporary
youth. Youngsters are heavily exposed to and hence vulnerable to

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cyber crime, misuse of social media and mobile phone technology.
The SPC project influences youth to utilize ICT productively for
personal and societal development.
c. Deviant & Separatist Behaviour
Our communities today face challenges in criminal, anti-social,
terrorist and separatist behavior among youth. The question before
us is, whether Police action or Military action is the only solution for
these pressing problems? Does eliminating the terrorists of today
put an end to the problem of terrorism? The SPC project attempts
to find a solution to this social problem by training youth in positive
thinking and inculcation of patriotic values.
d. Encashing India’s Demographic Dividend
Today, 50% of India’s population is less than 25 years of age. It
has been predicted that by the year 2030, India will have the
world’s largest population, at approximately 153 Crores, of which
the youth would constitute about 95 Crores, i.e. 63%. For the
country to benefit from this demographic profile, India’s youth must
become capable of leadership in all fields of human activity. The
SPC project is a school-level intervention to develop the inner
potential of the younger generation and make them flag-bearers of
a prosperous India.
e. Civic Sense, Social Responsibility and Inclusiveness
Today’s communities experience contentious issues such as poor
waste management, environmental degradation, disregard of rules

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and regulations, and lack of respect for others’ rights. Youth must
come face-to-face with such issues early in their personal
development. Only then will they grow as socially responsible
citizens with a willingness to empathize with and find solutions to
problems of wider humanity. Other problems experienced by
students include substance abuse, alcohol consumption and
violence. A primary objective of the Student Police Cadet project is
to provide high school students with the internal framework and
motivation to grow as well-developed individuals and capable future
flag-bearers of a prosperous India.
III. UNIQUE FEATURES OF SPC PROJECT
i. 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.
ii. Uses existing network, infrastructure and leadership qualities of
Police to supplement the physical, mental and educational
development of youth
iii. Empowers school communities to create safe school
environments and confident youth willing to react against social
evils
iv. Stimulates parents and community leaders to work with police in
creating safer communities

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IV. OBJECTIVES OF SPC PROJECT
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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)

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V. IMPLEMENTATION METHODOLOGY
• Schools are selected for the SPC project, based on availability of
infrastructure and teachers to carry out various training programmes.
• In each SPC school, students who fulfill certain stipulated criteria are
formed into platoons of cadets, who wear specially designed uniforms
and undergo training.
• Drill Instructors attached to local Police Units (Police stations or
Reserve camps) are assigned to each SPC school to train cadets in
physical fitness, parade drill, etc.
• Police officers of various ranks, and officials from Excise, Transport,
Forest, and Fire & Rescue Services visit schools and interact with the
cadets in each school, imparting training in their respective areas of
law enforcement.
• In addition, eminent personalities, professionals from various
disciplines and social workers interact with cadets to sensitize them on
contemporary social issues.
• Cadets undertake study trips to government establishments such as
Law Courts, Jails, Police and Fire Stations, and places of historical
importance.
• Cadets also participate in residential camps, visit forests and
environmentally protected areas, and organize community-level
campaigns against social evils.
• At the conclusion of their training, cadets undergo assessment tests
with physical and academic components, based on the training
received. Successful cadets are eligible for grace marks and other
benefits based on their performance in these tests.

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VI. TRAINING MODULES
The SPC Project comprises five training modules for student police
cadets, as follows:
a. OUTDOOR TRAINING: comprises regular training in Physical
Fitness, Parade Drill, Route March, etc. The physical training module
with group activities such as parades, cross-country runs, unarmed
combat, yoga etc. not only leads to better fitness and health, but
also helps to create a sense of purpose and self-worth in each
cadet.
b. INDOOR TRAINING: Awareness classes and activity workshops
by subject experts in various fields, in conjunction with direct
exposure to ground realities gives cadets an awareness of existing
social conditions.
c. FIELD VISITS: Supervised visits to Government institutions that
administer and execute the Law, such as Courts, Jails, Police
Stations, Collectorate, etc. leads to a better understanding of proper
democratic processes.
d. PRACTICAL TRAINING: Community-oriented projects designed
to train students in appropriate response to contemporary issues.
Personal involvement in activities promoting legal awareness,
disaster management, environmental protection, road safety and so
on enables cadets to experience law enforcement in practice, as
well as the need for community involvement for their success.

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e. RESIDENTIAL & NON-RESIDENTIAL CAMPS: During the 2-
year training period, SPCs attend various camps, both residential &
non-residential. The purpose of these camps is to provide cadets
with opportunities for leadership development, life-skills acquisition
and personality enhancement, enable creation of healthy team spirit
and create better understanding of the SPC Project.
VII. IMPACT OF SPC PROJECT ON STAKEHOLDERS
A statewide study by SIEMAT (State Institute for Educational
Management and Training), Kerala reveals that the project has had a
positive impact on various stake holders of the society:
a. STUDENTS:
Improvement in physical fitness, physical and mental endurance.
Increased physical fitness, better attitude, confidence, self-
discipline, responsibility and readiness to serve others.
Fearless and healthy interaction with police and better
understanding of functions and roles of police.
Improvement in academic performance and better participation in
extra-curricular activities.
Willingness to abide by law and motivate others to do the same.
b. SCHOOLS:
School premises freed from sale and usage of tobacco and tobacco
products, other intoxicating substances and influence of antisocial
elements.

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Schools freed from accident and traffic congestion.
Improvement in internal discipline.
Children with deviant behavior brought to teacher’s attention.
Neat, clean and plastic-free School Campus. In some schools,
gardens flowers, medicinal plants are developed.
Smooth and effective organizing of school-level events.
c. PARENTS
Willingness to change. Being forced to obey law since their children
insist upon them doing so.
High appreciation of behavioral changes and responsible behavior
among their children.
Increased interest in better and effective parenting.
d. POLICE:
Police experience improvement in morale and self-worth
Willing to become mentors and role models for younger generation,
as well as for the entire school community
Better future policing since today’s high school students are
policemen (and women) of tomorrow
e. TEACHERS:
Change in impression towards police.
Realized the importance for discipline.
Increased awareness of problems of adolescents.

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VIII. ENDORSEMENT OF SPC PROJECT
a. The potential of the SPC Project for community development has been
endorsed by successive Chief Ministers of Kerala, Ministers of Home,
Education, Forest, Transport and Excise, Members of Parliament, MLAs
and Judges of the Kerala High Court.
b. National-level dignitaries who have been favourably impressed by the
project include Dr Manmohan Singh, Hon. Prime Minister of India, Sri
Hameed Ansari, Hon. Vice-President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
(former President of India) Sri T K A Nair (Advisor to Prime Minister),
Sri V N Rai (Director, Sardar Valabhbhai Patel National Police
Academy), Sri Hormese Tharakan IPS (former Director, RAW,) late
Radha Vinod Raju IPS (former Head, NIA), Smt Jija Harisingh IPS, Smt
Lathika Saran IPS etc.
c. The project also evoked appreciation at the All India Police Science
Congress in 2011, which recommended that all states implement the
SPC project. Government of Rajasthan has decided to launch the
project as a pilot project. States of Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Chandigarh
and Punjab have also expressed interest in the SPC scheme.
d. Agencies such as Kerala Legal Services Authority (KELSA), Kerala Road
Safety Authority, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and several others
have associated with the SPC project as a partner organization to take
forward their own community-level activities.

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IX. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN (PROPOSED)
Facilitation of SPC project implementation in all states, initially as a pilot
project in selected schools, and subsequent wider rollout.
Initiation of steps for project implementation in all schools, irrespective
of whether they are Government-run or under private management,
including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, schools under
CBSE and ICSE, etc.
Inclusion of the SPC indoor training module in the regular school
curriculum, which would include personality development, road safety,
substance abuse prevention, environment protection, legal literacy,
responsible waste management, internal security, and safe use of
Information and Communication Technology.
Establishment of SPC Training Academies in each state, to impart
training to all officials connected with project implementation in that
particular state.
Formation of a National Task Force - comprised of qualified,
experienced and committed officials, from various fields including
police and education - to support, study, and evaluate the potential of
the SPC project for community development, by formulation of a
National Act enabling SPC project rollout nation-wide.

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In Conclusion…
The Student Police Cadet Project does not create more policemen, rather it
seeks to grow the policeman within each young (and impressionable) member
of our communities. Thus, the SPC project is a farsighted school-level activity
that will generate significant nation-wide benefits, such as greater internal
security, healthier and safer communities, and responsible future citizens of a
stable democracy.
P Vijayan IPS
STATE NODAL OFFICER – SPC &
DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM CITY
CONTACT ADDRESS
State Nodal Officer,
SPC Secretariat, Police Headquarters,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Mob: 09497996909
Email: statenodalofficerspc@gmail.com
Website: www.studentpolicecadet.org