JMU and AOU Hosts Visit of Year 4 Bodden Town Primary Students

On Wednesday, 15 June, twenty-eight Year 4 students from Bodden Town Primary visited both the RCIPS Joint Marine Unit and the Air Operations Unit in order to learn about police specialist operations from officers themselves. They were also treated to a demonstration by the RCIPS K-9 Unit during their visit to the RCIPS Marine Base.

The visit was organized following a request from the Bodden Town Primary School, which was pleased with a similar visit by Year 4 students last year and wanted to expose more students to the different jobs police do.

The students and chaperones arrived first at the RCIPS Marine Base, where they met the police, Immigration and Customs Officers who make up the Unit, and then 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 Captain Jackson, “and although it is a bit technical, it is not difficult to engage them, they want to learn.”

Afterwards the students were led outside where they were surprised by a 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 the shed, in a place students chose. PC Menzies and Shadow then conducted a search of the premises, and as Shadow approached where the drugs were hidden the students began to cheer. When Shadow indicated where the drugs were to PC Menzies, they erupted in clapping.

“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!” they responded.

Afterwards, the students boarded the RCIPS marine vessel Guardian in order to view the boat’s controls and hear about the scope of marine officers’ work from Captain Hugh Bush, Police Constable, who briefed them on the safety requirements of the vessel 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 RCIPS 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?” (About 50,000 feet).

The officers were encouraged by the students’ interest.

“As an organization we have the responsibility to help mold the future generations of this country, and it starts right now with early interactions,” said Inspector 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.”

Photos:

Photo 1 – PC Adrian Clarke demonstrates proper use of a life vest to the students

Photo 2 – Captain Randolph Jackson discusses marine navigation with the students

Photo 3 – Inspector Leo Anglin introduces Police dog Shadow, and his handler, PC Adrian Menzies

Photo 4 — PC Ronnie Pollard answers students’ questions about the police helicopter