Issue - meetings

Presentation and DVD followed by questions from the floor

Police Constable Bobette Ta-min provided an explanation of the ‘Kid Cop Academy’ project which provided young people with an understanding of the reasons for, the operation of, and the agencies involved in Police Stop and Search activity and procedures.  The project was a valuable school based learning exercise to address young peoples’ lack of knowledge regarding stop and search activity and an attempt to reduce hostility to the police.  The project had been undertaken at Northumberland Park Community School where PC Ta-min was the school’s Police Support Officer.

The meeting was shown a DVD (the ‘right way’ and the ‘wrong way’ for stop and search by police) and provided with a presentation.  This explained the classroom based learning and role playing undertaken by 200 children in year 9 (13-14 year olds) over a three day period at the school.  These focussed on stop and search issues relating to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and involved -

·        role playing by young people as police officers; offenders; witnesses; prosecuting and defending lawyers and magistrates – each role group had a police officer to support them (Hendon Police college trainees)

·        undertaking the actual processes dealt with by professionals – questioning, arresting, remanded into custody, court appearances, sentencing 

·        visiting Tottenham Police station and Magistrates Court

·        question and answer sessions

The feedback was extremely positive and constructive in informing young peoples’ views of the role and work of the police and the stop and search process.   It was agreed that the project be offered to other schools and that a ‘Kids Cop’ handbook be produced.  Joanna McCartney, GLA member for Enfield and Haringey, had shown interest in extending this to other London boroughs.

Two students from Northumberland Park School, involved in the project, then answered questions from the floor.