Students and staff at Bishopton Pupil Referral Unit welcomed officers from Cleveland Police for an educational visit that made a real impression on everyone involved.

The Dog Handler Unit brought along four highly trained working dogs, Trigger, Moose, Purdy and Harper, whose handlers shared genuine insight into the role police dogs play in supporting frontline policing and keeping communities safe. Students had the chance to meet the dogs up close and hear directly from their handlers about the training, discipline and trust that underpins that work.

Live demonstrations showed how the dogs assist officers in locating and apprehending suspects, giving students a real understanding of what that looks like in practice. It was a chance to see skills that are rarely on show, and the students were clearly engaged throughout.

Specialist firearms officers and police vehicles were also part of the visit, allowing pupils to explore some of the equipment and resources used by the service day to day. A question and answer session gave students the chance to ask anything on their minds, with officers speaking openly about their careers, the responsibilities that come with the role, teamwork and public safety.

The visit was both educational and enjoyable, giving students a memorable hands-on experience and the opportunity to build positive connections with local officers in a relaxed and supportive setting.

A huge thank you to all of the officers, handlers and, of course, to Trigger, Moose, Purdy and Harper for taking the time to visit and for delivering such an engaging day.