These Regulations, which apply to police cadets in England and Wales, have effect, save as mentioned below, as from 1st April 1972 (restrospective effect is authorised by sections 12 and 15 of the Superannuation Act 1972). They apply to the exclusion of the Police Cadets (Pensions) Regulations 1971 in the case of a cadet who has served on or after that date.

The Regulations of 1971 gave to police cadets and their dependants certain pension benefits for which members of police forces and their dependants were eligible by applying certain provisions of the Police Pensions Regulation 1971. The present Regulations make fresh provision for this purpose by similarly applying the Police Pensions Regulations 1973. The main differences between the provisions of the Police Pensions Regulations of 1971 and of 1973 applied in the case of police cadets are that the Regulations of 1973 provide for enhanced rates of benefits.

Regulation 2(2) of the present Regulations, which has effect as from 1st December 1972 (the date from which increases in pensions authorised by the Pensions Increase (Annual Review) Order 1972 (S.I. 1972/1298) were payable), makes provision for the increase of widows' pensions and children's allowances which remain payable under the Police Cadets (Pensions) Regulations 1971.