Primary students visit air and sea police
Inspector Leo Anglin introduces police dog, Shadow, and his handler, PC Adrian Menzies to the students
(CNS): Year 4 students from Bodden Town Primary recently visited both the RCIPS Joint Marine Unit and Air Operations Unit to learn about police specialist operations from the officers themselves. While at the marine base, the 28 students were also treated to a demonstration by the RCIPS K-9 Unit. The visit was organised following a request from the primary school, after a similar visit by Year 4 students last year, with the aim to expose more young people to the different jobs police do.
The students and chaperones arrived first at the marine base, where they met the police, Immigration and Customs officers who make up the unit. The children were given demonstrations of police marine equipment, such as radios, safety vests and lights, as well as a short briefing on navigation by Captain Randolph Jackson, Customs Officer and UKOT maritime instructor.
“I always find that children are fascinated by the charts,” said Jackson, “and although it is a bit technical, it is not difficult to engage them, they want to learn.”
Afterwards, the students were surprised by an outdoor demonstration by K-9 officer PC Adrian Menzies and police dog Shadow. While PC Menzies and Shadow were out of sight, marine officers hid a small quantity of drugs in a shed, in a place students chose. PC Menzies and Shadow then conducted a search of the premises, and as the dog approached where the drugs were hidden the students began to cheer. When Shadow indicated where the drugs were to PC Menzies, the children erupted in applause.
“One of Shadow’s main jobs is to find hidden drugs, and he does this very well,” said Inspector Leo Anglin, RCIPS Marine Commander. “He has found drugs twice in the last month alone.” He explained how Shadow and PC Menzies communicate through commands and body language. “And what do we know about drugs? We don’t do them, right?”
“No, sir!” the children responded.
Afterwards, the students boarded the RCIPS marine vessel Guardian to view the boat’s controls and hear about the scope of marine officers’ work from Captain Hugh Bush, police constable. He briefed them on the safety requirements of the boat to the kind of patrolling and police work the vessel does. The boat remained docked while the students were on board.
After the leaving the marine base, the students visited the Air Operations Unit and received a briefing about the police helicopter from PC Ronnie Pollard, tactical flight officer. All students were given the opportunity to wear a helmet, have their picture taken, and look inside the helicopter at the patrols and safety gear.
The students demonstrated keen interest throughout all the presentations, peppering the officers with questions such as: “What happens to Shadow the police dog when he retires?” (He either continues to live with his handler or is re-homed with a family.) “How high can the police helicopter fly?” (It generally flies from 800-1000 feet high, with a ceiling of 1200 feet above ground.)
The officers were encouraged by the students’ interest. “As an organisation, we have the responsibility to help mould the future generations of this country, and it starts right now with early interactions,” said Anglin.
“I remember seeing the patrol vessel Protector at Public Beach during the annual air show when I was a kid, and saying to myself that one day I wanted to work on a police boat. You just cannot predict the positive impact such early impressions might have on a child.”
Category: Police, Primary School
