Grimsby Institute students get surprise police dog inspection as part of zero tolerance drugs policy
STAFF at the Grimsby Institute taught students they were serious about a zero tolerance drugs policy with a random police dog inspection of the Nun's Corner campus, yesterday .
Officers from Humberside Police, South Yorkshire Police dog handler Paul Brackpool and passive indication drugs dog Duke began their inspection at 9am yesterday, visiting every classroom on the campus, having been invited in by Institute bosses.
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On the ball: As part of the Grimsby Institute's zero tolerance policy on drugs, a police sniffer dog was brought in to search students during lessons. From left are PC Pete Musgrave, PC Ryan Stratton, dog handler Paul Brackpool from South Yorkshire Police with Duke, PCSO Lynsay McNeil, and PC Leighton Kaye. Picture: Jon Corken
The 2,000 students at Nun's Corner received no prior warning, but Duke found just one student holding a small amount of cannabis – although dozens more were searched after he picked up a scent.
Principal Sue Middlehurst said that the exercise was more about sending a message than catching pupils out – which is why students were not told in advance.
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She said: "We had new students in September and have taught them about the values of the college, including our zero tolerance drugs policy.
"This exercise shows that it is not all talk – I mean what I say.
"Social networking means that kids probably knew the police were here within ten minutes, but they also know this could happen again at any time."
The student caught with drugs received a cannabis warning from police – which may not be considered if the student is in trouble for drugs again – and a suspension from the college.
However, Mrs Middlehurst insisted that pupils found to be taking drugs would be offered help before they are shown the door.
"We do not have a drug problem here, but I want to open dialogue so people feel they can talk about it," she said.
"We will offer to help where we can, although if a student is beyond help and having a negative influence on other students, we would have no choice but to exclude them."
Humberside Police have their own police dogs but none like Duke, trained to work with people in bustling environments, such as colleges, nightclubs and music festivals.
The black Labrador is trained to either sit down next to someone or follow them when he catches a scent and recognises a wide rang of drugs, including cannabis, M-Cat, crack cocaine and heroin.
This passive indication is enough evidence for police to search you under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
PC Brackpool said: "The most common false alarms are heart tablets, inhalers and viagra.
"He's a lovely dog and a very effective worker and he does it all for his ball – he loves that ball more than most people love anything."
11 Comments
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by daveyw
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 12:27PM
“probobly been used by the principal to sniff out the last few decent remaining staff members to make redundant.”
by animal_owner
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:22PM
“Load of rubbish as I was there yesterday 28th January and never saw any police let alone one with a dog and I was there from 9am until 5pm.”
by shaungrimsby
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 7:20PM
“what about checking the staff to? !”
by The0racle
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 11:07AM
“Obviously the burglars and car thieves of the town must have had a day off to be able to spare 5 officers for a day.
If they had reason to suspect someone then I'm all for them calling the police in but to me this is just a waste of time and resources.
I hope the College paid for the time of these officers.”
by Brutto
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 10:28AM
“Five Police Officers (and the Dog) needed for the excercise ? Over egging the cake, me thinks.”
by onowotono
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:58AM
“I'm set against 'recreational' drugs use of any kind but there are other ways to tackle the problem. However, the outcome doesn't suggest that there is a problem at the Institute other than with the management who perhaps would be better suited to nursery teaching.
If such intrusive conduct is appropriate and acceptable, then let's see such sniffers as Duke let loose along the benches of parliament during PM questions in full view of TV. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned up more than a little bit of weed, because there has to be something which could explain the nonsense that emanates from there.
It's also a sad reflection on the supine students of today if they accept such an intrusion because in my day they'd have been vehemently protesting.”
by Good_Citizen
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:31AM
“It is Nun's Corner not Nunn's Corner.”
by LifeOfMe
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:14AM
“Why is this appalling behaviour 'GyMonkey'?
Do you want your kids to die from drugs? NO.
Well done to the Grimsby Institute for doing this! People might think twice about drugs knowing they could get thrown out of education. Drugs messes up peoples lives and the sooner we get rid of drugs the better!”
by redcisse09
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:12AM
“Whilst the college is well within their rights to invite the Police around, I seriously disagree with how this was handled; Going into every class room and invading everyone privacy, only then to potentially be publicly embarrassed for having "heart tablets, inhalers and viagra". And a Harmless amount of Cannabis? oh dear!
My question is, did this random police dog inspection include entering the staff room and their vehicles hmm?”
by GyMonkey
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 8:54AM
“This is appalling behavior by senior management!!”