The Launch of the Girlguiding Police Challenge

Just 30 local girls and a few Leaders were invited to the Wilfred Fuller Centre, in Clevedon for an exclusive launch of the new Police Challenge. This is a new resource and of course badge which Guide Leaders from Somerset, Somerset North and Bristol & South Gloucestershire have, along with Avon and Somerset Police, been working on for what seems like a very long time!

The weather was dismal, but they warmed up in one of the meeting rooms where the day started with a speech by Superintendent Roger Doxsey followed by an indoor demonstration of the work of drones within the Police. As well as learning that the smaller drones are often sent into a house before the officers go in they discovered that the operators are fuelled not by batteries but by Haribo sweets. Regrettably the Police Dog demonstration was outside in the rain but that was soon forgotten as they watched the two spaniels showcase their excellent skills, they were asked not to share our video of the dogs working and what they have now been trained to search for but it was very interesting and they certainly earned the box of dog treats the Rainbows had bought with them.

For the next part of the day, they got to meet some of the forces mounted Police which were 3 beautiful grey horses. It was good to note that as well as the officers having good observational skills the horses did too and they soon spotted the 2 large bags of carrots that they had bought along, which proved to be a bit of a distraction!

The day finished with refreshments and a special cake, and the Rainbows were very excited to be the first in the county to receive their badges, from the Super Superintendent who generously put to one side his tea and cake to formally present them.

The badge is now available to all units in the region, some of the challenges are Equality, is it fair? CSI and forensics, animals in policing, playing your part and Community Policing, and they would like to apologise now to the neighbours as when the Police visit it usually takes the girls just 4 minutes to find the siren button!

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