Hundreds of schoolchildren have enjoyed an action-packed educational visit to Nottinghamshire Police’s HQ.
The new and interactive events are designed to foster closer relationships with young people and to help them see police officers as friendly and approachable.
One primary school in Aspley said the visit had a “genuine impact” on their pupils and it was “clear that their perceptions of the police had shifted”.
A total of 360 pupils were full of excitement and had beaming smiles throughout the day as they toured different activity stations around force headquarters in Arnold.
Officers and staff welcomed pupils from eight Nottinghamshire primary schools on July 11 and 18, who had the opportunity to explore police vehicles and put their skills to the test during a day of activities hosted by various force departments.
The Year 5 pupils learnt how to use a line with the underwater search unit and sat inside off-road vehicles with the rural crime team.
At the kennels, pupils met police dogs, activated car sirens, and tried on a padded bite jacket.
They attempted the bleep test, determined their fingerprint type with forensics, toured the force control room, deployed a stinger with armed policing, and tried on body armour during the visit.
The day also included a roleplay scenario where children took on the job of journalists during a mock press conference, where they learned more about the force’s work to tackle antisocial behaviour and the role of the corporate communications team.
Schools were invited as part of the force’s Mini Police programme, which is designed to increase Year 5 pupils’ understanding of antisocial behaviour and the law, as well as promoting values of kindness, respect, and inclusivity.
Mini Police is a nine-week classroom scheme that provides schoolchildren with the opportunity to build rapport, trust, and confidence in their neighbourhood officers.
Each lesson is packed with information about the law, as well as establishing right from wrong, along with quizzes, games, activities, and group discussions.
Sergeant Vanessa Wake is part of Nottinghamshire Police’s engagement team, which delivers the Mini Police school programme.
She said: “Our new Mini Police visits to headquarters have proved really popular with the children, which is great to see.
“We launched the HQ visits to offer a more inclusive opportunity for all schools that have taken part in the Mini Police programme.
“The aim is to provide pupils with an experience where they can explore various aspects of our force in one place, after graduating from the scheme.
“It allows them to engage with officers and staff in a different environment and helps children to see the police as friendly and approachable.
“The HQ visits complement our Mini Police Fun Days, which are a public community engagement event, and are another important tool to help build trust and positive relationships from a young age.”