POLICE NEWSLETTER
HELLO November! So what's been happening? Not a lot, so I'll crack on and tell you about what I've been up to recently.
I got involved in a joint partnership involving the Police and the Army, called The Army Challenge'.
Basically, it's a 'potential' recruitment course for the Army and involved the Police in identifying and signing up 14-16 year olds that we considered suitable for such a course. We also looked on it as being a diversionary tactic, to help steer kids off the street and keep them out of trouble.
You've maybe read about previous courses which were very poorly reported on and described the youngsters taking part as being 'yobs', 'thugs' etc. and the course itself was referred to as a 'boot camp'.
Nothing could be further from the truth. A total of 27 youngsters took part (three from Culter). Yep, some had come to Police attention for the wrong reasons - minor crimes, shoplifting, vandalism, assault, breaches of the peace etc. and some had come to our attention for the right reasons - street gatherers, seeing Police at youth clubs, having got to know their local Police Officers etc.
Initially, my bosses were keen for an officer to be part of the course, someone who is fit, healthy, keen, enthusiastic and motivated. Well, there was no one available matching that criteria, so I got the job!
The
course itself
was a five day residential
course held at a barracks in
When we arrived at the camp and I saw the accommodation block, 1 thought 'we're sharing the home of the Addams Family'. Holiday Inn, it was not. The kids were all issued Army gear and for the next four days took part in jam-packed Army activities. There were fitness tests, assault courses, confidence courses, paintballing, SA-80 training, drill, and I'm still trying to forget the hill walking! (Glenmore - the hill that never ends.)
The discipline side of things took a wee while to kick in, but after countless occasions when you're caught with your hands in your pockets and having to give three push ups for the pleasure, you kin da get the message. (That's the kids I'm on about, not me)
Was it worthwhile? The feedback we got off the kids was tremendous. ALL thoroughly enjoyed it, as I did myself. The Army guys involved, reported back that it was the BEST course they'd taken part in, so there you go.
Next time I catch you with hands in pockets - 'DOWN, gimme three!!'
PC Graeme Stewart
Community Beat Officer Culter