American students find out about policing in Cheshire

 

A group of American students have been spending time with Cheshire Constabulary to gain an understanding about the policing model from "across the pond".

The group, which included eighteen students and two professors from the University of Central Florida, made the visit as part of an exchange programme with the University of Chester.

They spent three days learning about policing in Cheshire, visiting stations across the county, finally culminating in a visit to Winsford headquarters on Friday 8 March.

Assistant Chief Constable Janette McCormick said: "The visit by the University of Central Florida provided a great opportunity for us to learn from both policing cultures.

"The visit focused on Specials and volunteers, and we heard about the large number of reservists, unpaid volunteers like Specials, and how they support policing in the States, which gave us ideas for our own Public Participation programme.

"Women in policing was also a focus for the visit as it coincided with International Women′s Day and they were able to see the work being done within the uniformed Specialist Operations department to encourage our own female officers to apply for posts.

"A huge thank you for all those that made the exchange a real success."

Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer met the students at Winsford headquarters.

John said: "I was pleased to meet the American students and learned a lot about the differences between the American model of policing and our own.

"Volunteering is at the centre of my plans for Cheshire Constabulary and it was particularly interesting to hear about the way in which reservists and volunteers support policing in the States."