Young cops hit the beat to success
Police volunteers rack up 11,000 hours
Paisley’s young cops have been praised af ter racking up nearly 11,000 hours volunteering in the community.
The dedicated youngsters from the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers scheme ( PSYV) have been a regular feature at events across Renfrewshire since the group’s inception in 2015.
In recent months, the award-winning recruits have helped keep people safe at events across the region including the Armistice Sunday parade, Disney on Ice at intu Braehead and opera performances in the town.
And, just last week, they started offering guided walking tours as part of the 100 day campaign to save Thomas Coats Memorial Church in Paisley.
PC Audrey Paul, PSYV coordinator, says the youngsters who come from eight out of 11 schools in Renfrewshire have now clocked up a whopping 10,941 hours.
She said: “It is an honour to work alongside such committed youth and adult volunteers.
“I am extremely proud of PSYV Paisley in both their training and volunteering and this was evidenced in them being awarded the Group of the Year Award at Tulliallan Police College.”
The PSYV is open to both boys and girls aged between 13 and 18 and offers an insight into the work of police officers.
They have had sessions, lead by eight adult leader volunteers, covering the phonetic alphabet, taking statements and learning about police uniform and rank structure.
The region’s top cop, Chief Superintendent Gordon Crossan, popped in to hold a Q& A session with the volunteers and inspect their drilling.
He was hugely impressed with their commitment and dedication, saying: “I had a fantastic time with them.
“Such enthusiasm and commitment cheered me up. Thank you all for being part of the fantastic Police Scotland Youth Volunteer programme, helping us keep communities safe and engaged.”
In May last year, the dedicated youngsters scooped the Group of the Year award at this year’s Police Scotland’s Youth Volunteers Annual Awards, beating teams from as far away as Shetland and Stranraer.
They were nominated for the prize after coming through their regional final, and beat 21 other volunteer teams.