Staffordshire Police

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Cop Swap

Lichfield youngsters who took part in a competition to help them get to know their local police officers, were given a big surprise - a visit from a police dog.

COP SWAP: Competition winner Trinity Turner, aged eight, meets ‘Ben’ the police dog. Also pictured are: dog handler PC John Maunders, PC Alison Rowley, head teacher, Mr Simon Kelly, PCSO Brian Harbon and PCSO Maggie Griffiths.

Two year old golden labrador ‘Ben’ dropped by during an assembly at Charnwood Primary School to present a prize to the winner of a special competition.

Prize winner Trinity Turner was one of youngsters who took part and won a family fun day out - donated by Drayton Manor theme park.

And part of her prize was a chance to meet up with the drugs search dog who was put through his paces by his handler, PC John Maunders.

“He’s a lovely dog and very friendly,” said Trinity, aged eight.

Pupils at Charnwood, Rocklands and SS Peter and Paul primary schools all took part in ‘Cop Swap’ with youngsters collecting picture cards with facts about their local neighbourhood police officers.

The aim of ‘Cop Swap’ was to encourage young people and their families to meet and chat with their neighbourhood police and community support officers while building up their ‘Cop Swap’ sticker card collections.

Extra information was available on the Staffordshire Police website where youngsters could log on for information on how to get extra cards and play games.

Youngsters were given a card each time they met an officer - either at school or out and about in their neighbourhood.  

The cards listed facts about individual officers including how long they have been in the police force, which area they cover and their hobbies.

Neighbourhood police community support officer, Maggie Griffiths said: “Youngsters at all the schools really enjoyed taking part and seemed very keen to meet officers and learn about their work.”

She said the scheme was a success thanks to the support of head teachers and staff at the schools as well as help from the North Lichfield Community and Learning Partnership.

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Did you know? The police service in Staffordshire was formed more than 160 years ago in 1842.

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