Mini Police attestations held

After having recently joined a new pilot scheme, children from three schools across Chesterfield, Normanton and Alvaston were invited to an attestation with ACC Michelle Shooter.

The pupils delivered a presentation about what they had learnt during their first few weeks of training, and were presented with a Mini Police cap and handshake from the ACC.

Sarah Robbins, who is leading on the project, said: “The Mini Police have been in training for a few weeks now, and to be able to put on an attestation was our way of saying thank you to them.

“They really appreciated the visit from ACC Shooter and were proudly walking round in their hats and vests! It was lovely to see and I am sure they will be a great asset to us in spreading the word of the incredible work of our frontline colleagues.”

Mini Police is currently in a trial period, with PCSOs working with Landau Forte Academy Moorhead in Alvaston, Spire Junior School in Chesterfield, and Peartree Juniors in Normanton.

This scheme is aimed at children aged 9-11, in years five or six, and focuses on the contribution young people can make into our communities to make it a better place to be. 

It runs through term time on a three week cycle of education, community and reward. The education and reward weeks will sometimes be delivered by partner agencies such as DFRS or the RNLI.

The scheme and its guest speakers hope to improve the relationship between the police and the communities they serve, as well as give young people a voice to say what matters to them, what troubles them about their environment and to influence people around them in a positive way.

ACC Michelle Shooter said: “The aim of Mini Police is for these enthusiastic pupils to learn about the police and our partner agencies, and it is then part of their job to tell the rest of the school all about what they have learned.

“They can do this via a newsletter, noticeboard, website or even in assembly – they are the Mini Police for their school and very important in helping Derbyshire Constabulary to spread important messages about keeping safe.

“I hope they will learn some valuable life lessons along the way that will stick with them and their friends as they grow up. They can help us spread the word about how to be kind, caring, and helpful young people.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster added: “We can help younger people play a role in helping to make neighbourhoods safer for all by giving them an understanding of the role of policing and the positive impact that community mindedness can have.

“The Mini Police initiative is a great way to do just that and I hope we will be able to extend these initiatives to many more schools in Derbyshire.”

At the end of the pilot and once evaluated, the longer-term strategy over the next five-ten years is to roll the Mini Police scheme out across the whole of the county.