South Ayrshire campus cops are tops

Aug 29 2008

SENDING police into schools was always going to be a bold move.

Seven months ago, when the Campus Cops initiative was launched, four South Ayrshire officers left their beat behind.

One of them, PC John Munn, headed for his new office at Kyle Academy to begin a new life alongside the pupils.

It was going back to school – but not as we know it.

PC Munn was charged with the task of being a buddy, advisor and all-round good guy to the kids.

And seven months on, the pupils reckon their cop is the most popular man around the corridors.

It’s a verdict that’s taken even the likeable PC Munn by surprise.

He admitted: “The kids have taken to the whole initiative really well and they have no problems approaching me.

“Back when we started, I suppose there was a fear that they’d see my uniform and back off.

“But as long as you approach kids with the right attitude, you’ll get the right response.

“Usually I’d only have met these kids out on a Friday or Saturday night but now they know me properly.

“I don’t mind cycling around the playground with a lolly in my mouth and showing my human side – and the pupils identify with that.”

PC Munn is now on site full-time at Kyle. His 8am-4pm working day is never dull and he’s also a leading light in school projects.

The cool cop took pupils on a trip to England for a Premiership football match – and even joined them on a jaunt to Paris.

He’s been well and truly accepted as one of the gang.

Headteacher Eileen Brown revealed: “Teachers will tell you that relationships with kids is the biggest thing being lost these days and we have to improve on that.

“PC Munn has done a great job in getting involved with the children and has been a tremendous person to have around the school.

“I think the kids had thought John would come in as an enemy to them – now they realise he’s one of us.”

And PC Munn is planning to stick around with his newest fans for the long haul.

He said: “This is a job where the best results come in the long term. Hopefully we can get the benefits of me being with a group of pupils right through from first to sixth year.”