School PC is a friend to Ayr pupils

Aug 29 2008 by Stuart Wilson

WE thought the school must have been bad.

That was the verdict of pupils at Kyle Academy when they found out a policeman was heading their way.

But it hasn’t taken long for PC John Munn to change perceptions among the kids at his Ayr secondary.

Head girl Michaella McDonald admitted: “There was a lot of confusion at first because I didn’t think there were any problems at Kyle.

“But it quickly became obvious that he was here for different reasons and he gives pupils someone to talk to.

“He’s not a policeman, he’s like a member of staff.”

It’s a view backed up and taken on by third year pupil Ross Withers, who even views the cop as more of a FRIEND.

Ross, 14, said: “PC Munn took us to the football at Blackburn Rovers and it was great – he wasn’t acting like a policeman.

“I talk to him about football all the time and he was having a kickabout with us when we went on a trip to France.”

But the prospect of facing PC Munn was different for the new first years, who feared the school’s reputation was going before it.

Ben Lumsden, 12, admitted: “I thought there must have been something wrong with the school when I heard a policeman was here every day.

“But it’s not like that at all. He says to us that his door is always open and from what I’ve seen so far, it’s always very busy.”

And fellow first year Cameron Kelly agrees. He said: “I didn’t think there would be a policeman in the school all day – but it’s good that he’s here for any problems.

“He also cycles around on his bike and comes up to the shops at lunch to make sure everything is okay.”

With support like that, it’s clear that PC Munn is on to a winner.