It was a picnic at one of the city’s oldest police stations at Esplanade for 50-odd primary schoolchildren on Wednesday when they got to see the friendly faces and big smiles of the usually rough and tough men in khaki.
Established in 1856, the Esplanade Police Station has seen thousands of police officers, accused and complainants in its long history. Wednesday came as a pleasant surprise for even the policemen as they received the children at the doorstep to show them they can also sport a smile and be gentle.
The children from MSB Matriculation School, Mannady, accompanied by their teachers, spent nearly an hour in the police station to know the functioning of the police force in the city.
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“The children were very happy when we shook hands with them. We took them around the police station and explained how we work. We told the kids that the policemen are very friendly. We tried to explain in a way they could understand,” said S. Saravana Prabhu, Inspector of Police, Esplanade Police Station.
“We were so happy to receive them. It was a break from the boredom of receiving complainants or bringing the accused to the station. The children were sweet to us,” another police officer said.
Police officials explained to the visiting students how many police personnel are in a police station, what are the weapons available and in short the cops on duty strained every muscle just to prove that police are friendly, approachable and someone not to be feared.
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The children were gifted toffees and cookies before the warm send-off. In the end, it turned out to be a memorable day for the men in uniform.