THE Isle of Man Constabulary has introduced a new police officer and a new police car to help engage with primary school children and change their perceptions of the police.
As part of an Island-wide primary school liaison programme the child friendly symbols, a police officer puppet called Sam and a police car MAN1E (Manny), will become familiar visitors in the Island's 35 primary schools.
Andy Reed, the acting sergeant leading the initiative, said: "Primary school children soak up information and it's these years that are important in their development of forming personal opinions, making decisions and problem-solving. It is also at this age that most children see the police as positive role models and heroes.
"Our primary school children are our teenagers and our adults of the future. I strongly believe that if children come into contact with the police regularly, and in a positive way from the beginning of primary school right through to year six, then seeing a police officer in school and out of school will no longer be a big deal and interacting with the police will be seen as the norm.
"Hopefully it will have broken down any suspicions and perceptions that we are the enemy when these children move onto secondary schools, colleges and adult life."
The initiative has been launched in conjunction with the Department of Education and Children and Sam and MAN1E will be used to tackle three themes - personal safety, drug and substance awareness and social behaviour and the community - in age appropriate lessons.
Schools will be provided with teaching packs to accompany the programme and teachers will evaluate the benefits to children against the Manx Government’s five desired outcomes for children – staying safe, being healthy, enjoying life and achieving, making a positive contribution and prospering.
Each of the five Neighbourhood Police Teams has a 'youth champion' who will ensure the programme is successfully delivered to all the primary schools within their neighbourhoods.
Acting sergeant Reed will act as the constabulary's all Island co-ordinator to assist the youth champions, community officers and schools in the smooth running and successful implementation of the programme.
The programme has already been trialled at primary schools in the east of the Island including Laxey. Headteacher Jean Aksoy said:"The programme is educational and delivered in a fun way but also helps develop positive relations between the local police and children."
Support for the initiative has been provided by Appleby and Isle of Man Advertising. Sean Dowling, managing partner of Appleby in the Isle of Man, said: "We are delighted to help the Isle of Man Constabulary in this initiative with local primary schools. Anything that encourages good citizenship in our children is to be welcomed and supported.
"Through this programme, the next generation of young adults will be learning how to maintain the sense of community, respect for others and quality of life which we all enjoy here and which helps to make the Isle of Man a wonderful place to live."
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Picture captions -
1: L to R: Acting sergeant Andy Reed with police officer Sam, John Quirk – director of media at Isle of Man Advertising and PR, Jo Callister – advisory teacher for the Manx Curriculum, Sarah Jarvis – marketing manager of Appleby Isle of Man, and Jean Aksoy – headteacher of Laxey Primary School.
2 and 3: Acting sergeant Andy Reed with pupils of Laxey school - Lonan Black, 11, Maeve Merrick, 11, Emma Bowker, 11, Gemma Nettle, 11, Will Farrant, 11, James Quirk, 10, and Tom Barker, 11
