Respect the park - National Park Rangers recruited as Special Constables in UK first
Monday, 30th March 2009
In what is being heralded as a first for the UK, four Rangers from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority have been trained to become Special Constables, giving them increased powers to make the National Park a fantastic place for people to enjoy. This groundbreaking approach is part of a wider 'Respect the Park' programme that is being taken forward by the National Park Authority and Central Scotland Police this summer.
The National Park attracts millions of visitors every year and the quality of the experience visitors get when they come to the National Park and community safety are top priorities for both Central Scotland Police and the National Park Authority. This collaborative approach is aimed at enhancing safety in communities within the Central Scotland Force area, helping to tackle any anti-social behaviour within the National Park and ensuring that people are able to responsibly enjoy the Park.
To mark the launch of the initiative the National Park new recruits were sworn in at a ceremony held at the National Park Authority Headquarters in Balloch today after a three week training course and were congratulated by the Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, Deputy Chief Constable, Iain Macleod and Fiona Logan, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority.
Central Scotland Police Deputy Chief Constable Iain Macleod said: "This is an excellent example of organisations and individuals uniting to tackle a common aim. There are great benefits to both the police, the National Park Authority, as well as to communities themselves. As a force we are committed to community policing, listening and responding to the public. Our new Special Constables, working with community policing teams, have a big role to play."
Fiona Logan, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: "We are proud to play our part in this exciting initiative which has been designed to promote safer communities within the National Park but also to ensure that all our many visitors have a positive experience when staying in our National Park. By working in partnership with Central Scotland Police our Rangers form a critical part of our larger 'Respect the Park' programme which aims to deter anti-social behaviour and promote the responsible enjoyment of the great facilities, paths, nature and landscapes the National Park has to offer"
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "This is a superb achievement for the rangers involved, Central Scotland Police and the National Park Authority. By working together you have brought a new approach to improving the experience of the Park for all. In fostering safer neighbourhoods, helping to tackle anti-social behaviour, and encouraging people to enjoy the Park responsibly, this is a valuable contribution to the aim of promoting effective social development. Many congratulations."
Minister for Community Safety, Fergus Ewing added:
"Special Constables come from all walks of life and volunteer their time to police their communities. Rural workers, such as those being sworn in today, provide a wealth of local knowledge that supports the policing of our rural communities.
"These Special Constables were recruited through an Employer Supported Policing Scheme and the National Park Authority is to be congratulated on allowing their staff to have time off to police the park and the wider community."
