Dorset Police Chief Constable James Vaughan went back to school to visit a group of children who had written to him during lockdown.
On Tuesday 18 May 2021 Chief Constable Vaughan visited Hayeswood School in Wimborne to talk to a group of year one students about what it’s like to be a police officer and run a police force.
During the recent lockdown the children aged five and six were asked to write a letter to someone famous as part of their Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) curriculum.
Their teacher, Miss Becky Taylor, wanted to drive their attention away from lockdown and get them to focus on their future. Pupils were asked to identify someone they thought was famous and doing something they would like to do.
Five children chose to write to our very own Chief Constable James Vaughan.
Harry said he wanted to be a police officer and can run really fast.
Alfie said he wanted to catch baddies.
While Dexter said he also wanted to arrest baddies and help people, he told Chief Constable James Vaughan that he loves the police and thanked officers for arresting baddies for him.
Fred said he loves to stay fit and healthy and asked the Chief what it was like being a police officer.
Nathan said that he loved our cars and is happy we catch baddies and put them in jail.
Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “I was extremely surprised and honoured to receive these fantastic letters the children had written. They were full of such personality and it was clear they had taken a lot of time and effort to write, so I felt it was only fair that I took the time to visit them and say thank you in person.
“It is important that we engage with our young people and help them see for themselves that police officers are not scary, that we are part of their community and we are here to help and support them.”
Miss Becky Taylor said: “We were thrilled that the Chief Constable took the time to visit us. The children haven’t stopped talking about it since.”
Ted, who is six, said: “It was an incredible and fantastic visit. We will always remember it.”
Five-year-old Dexter said: “It was special to meet the Chief Constable. I really liked it when we got to have a photograph with him, and his assistant actually gave us police hats to wear!”
Miss Taylor continued: “I loved the key message he gave the children that police officers have to be kind, clever and strong and they therefore must work hard at school and eat their Weetabix. “I am certain it will be a wonderful memory for the children for years to come.”
