OFF THE STREETS... WITH SNAKES AND PENGUINS
FROM dressing up as a penguin to hooking plastic ducks and making cuddly toys, police work these days may seem child’s play.
But Police Scotland insist that the trend for officers to take part in fun and light-hearted activities – and post pictures online – is a vital part of the day job.
The photographs are increasingly common on Twitter and other social media platforms as police show off their fun side and promote community policing online.
But one policing source said: ‘This enrages a lot of officers and does the force little credit.
‘There may be a case for it in certain circumstances but it has to be carefully considered, otherwise it undermines the gravitas of police work.
‘It also infuriates the public because they can’t understand why a police service that claims to be so stretched that it can’t respond effectively to crime is able to send officers to these “fun” activities.’
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘By participating in events like community gala days, family fun days and coffee mornings, we are ensuring local people are aware of their local policing teams, who are tasked to deal with issues within specific areas and are seen as a point of contact for residents.
‘Social media posts like these – which are generated while officers are at work in the community – are shared to demonstrate how approachable our officers are, and the steps we take to engage with the people we work to keep safe.’