It was an unusual Saturday evening for more than two dozen schoolchildren who visited the Chromepet police station.
As part of a learning exercise, the children from Chambers Colony, mostly from less-privileged families, interacted with policemen and women, and asked them a host of questions, ranging from how to catch robbers to traffic rules and handling weapons.
The group walked into the cramped station carrying placards declaring ‘police our friend’ and ‘let us follow rules for road safety’.
They were greeted by police personnel with flowers and chocolates, and were briefed about how the station functioned — a constable was always on sentry duty at the main gate, a receptionist received people who came in with grievances and a station writer maintained all records. The children were also shown how an FIR was filed.
“What is this weapon sir? Does it have bullets inside and will you fire it at people who commit crimes?” asked J.S. Akash. The question provoked gales of laughter, but inspector K. Subramanian, explained that the weapon was a .303 rifle and at that moment, it was not loaded.
Some of the young boys, who were the more energetic among the lot, wanted to know if there were any other weapons. The police then demonstrated the firing of a 9 mm pistol and told the children its magazine could store up to 13 bullets.
The next question was a classic: “How would you catch robbers if you came long after a crime has taken place?” asked S. Rahul.
Mr. Subramanian explained that the preliminary investigation was vital – collecting fingerprint and footwear impressions, finding something left behind by the perpetrators, or even a scent that could be picked up by police dogs.
The children were also briefed about road safety rules and the importance of obeying signals.
“We were hesitant to go at first, but we had a wonderful learning experience at the police station. They do a very tough job. We learnt about the importance about studying well if we want to join the police force as officers,” said S. Pramod, one of the students.
Residents of Chambers Colony said that many private Montessori schools took their children to markets, railway stations and other places for interactive learning experiences. And so, parents at the Colony too, had wanted to organise a police station visit just before school re-opened.
“It will broaden their horizons and change the way young minds view the police department,” said a resident.
