Pupils learn all about policing

The 27 youngsters enjoyed three days of work experience, courtesy of local police school liaison officers Steve Shanks, John Robertson and Gerry Christie.

After Area Commander Craig Smith welcomed the young people to Kirkintilloch Police Office, they were given a full insight to the wide 
variety of duties undertaken by officers.

These included a visit to the Police Marine Unit at Greenock, and a trip to the Road Policing Department in Govan.

The high-flying students even got to pay a visit to Police Scotland Air Support, where they got the chance to check out the police helicopter.

Head teacher Paul McLaughlin, of St Ninians High School, generously 
offered the school’s main hall for a display by the Police Scotland Dog Branch and pupils got to meet a trained police dog.

Steve joked: “The only thing sniffed out that afternoon was some unwashed PE kit one of the pupils had in their schoolbags!”

Chief Inspector Craig Smith, Local Area Commander, said: “Our campus officers delivered a fantastic programme that gave the pupils a real insight into the role of a police officer and the opportunity to see some of the specialist departments that provide our front line officers with support as they strive to keep our local communities safe.

“I genuinely hope that I get the opportunity to welcome some of the pupils back in the near future where the next time I meet them they will have swapped their school uniform for that of a police one.”