Oamaru police authorised officer Michael White (left) shows
handcuffs and the Oamaru cells to (from left) Laura Scobie
(8), Trinity Bradford (9) and Mitchell Bradford (4) during
the Oamaru police station open day. Photo by David Bruce.
Saturday's open day at the Oamaru police station was such
a success that North Otago commander Senior Sergeant Jason
McCoy is considering doing it again.
He had thought that if 300 attended the two-hour event it
would have been worthwhile but in the end about 1000 turned
out.
"This looks like such a success, we'll have to do it again,"
Snr Sgt McCoy said when asked if another would be held next
year.
The day had displays from police organisations including the
Dunedin armed offenders squad, "booze bus" and commercial
vehicle investigation unit, as well as community groups
including the Oamaru Fire Brigade, Waitaki Rural Fire,
community patrol, Land Search and Rescue and Victim Support.
Among the more popular displays were the armed offenders
squad equipment, trying out the breath-alcohol analyser and,
for children, visiting and being "banged up" in the cells.
The LandSar abseiling display was also a hit.
People also had a comprehensive tour of the police station,
including the EBA suite, fingerprint room, muster room,
interview rooms and meal room.
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