Bedfordshire Police Partnership Badge with Luton Scouts
An outstanding evening attended by Blenheim Scouts at Bedfordshire Police HQ was the launch of the Bedfordshire Police Partnership badge was a fantastic event.
13 Scouts, adult leaders and one set of family members attended a presentation evening and launch of the partnership badge on Friday 23rd March 2018, accompanied by District Commissioner Libby Bassam and Assistant District Commissioner, James Hinkins.
Blenheim Scout Troop were chosen to attend because out of over 100 entries , Alyssa Phelps of Blenheim, designed the new uniform badge for the police partnership. The design has been transformed in to a very special and unique badge to be worn with pride.
The presentation was quite a formal event hosted by Police Inspector Annita Clarke, Winner of the ‘International Police Woman of the Year’ in 2013 from the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) and a Bedfordshire Police Officer, along with several hardworking colleagues Sgt Richard Cunningham, PC Luke Huckle, PC Jonny Rees, PC Jack Calow and PC Ryan Jerren (the one with a huge smile) from community policing. Alyssa was invited to join Inspector Clarke at the front of the theatre to accept a certificate depicting the badge design and the first ever Police Partnership to be released in Bedfordshire. Along with police staff, parents and leaders, the whole troop presented with pride for photographs.
Inspector Clarke approached James Hinkins, Assistant District Commissioner asking if this was something that we could support. This was positively supported Icknield District who will be the first to achieve this badge,
The badge consists of five modules.
Three of them are Police lead :
Police Familiarisation
Gangs, knives, drugs and alcohol
Personal protection
Two of them are Scout lead :
World Challenge Award
Create a poster or journal about what you’ve learned.
It is hoped that some of these posters can be printed and placed around the town in schools, shops and other prominent areas..
This badge is the first one of its type in Bedfordshire and is all down to the hard work of Police Inspector, Annita Clarke. Both of her children Olivia and Matthew benefitted and grew as Scouts at Warden Hill Scout Group.
Following the presentation, all members were invited to visit HQ’s main control room. This control room is the hub for the whole of Bedfordshire and even many police officers do not have access. What a special event to see the hub in action.
To finish the evening, Inspector Clarke and her team hosted a question and answer session where many myths were put to rest. We did however discover that police officers do love coffee and doughnuts.
The idea of the badge is to increase the awareness of the police and their role in society. How they can help young people in developing their future and to protect them from crime. Basically, to help them avoid the criminal circle and personal protection, online and in every day life.
It is hoped that with a little help from our Scouting family, this can get as far as possible around the county and beyond.
Written by James Hinkins ADC Scouts Icknield Scout District
