Polly and Peter meet Constable Bigwig

It was Friday afternoon at Pipsville Primary School. Mrs Bentwood and Mr Hoplop were reading out the school notices to the children.

“Next Wednesday the school has been invited for a visit to the Police Station,” said Mrs Bentwood, looking over her glasses.

Peter looked across at his sister Polly “Oh that’s exciting, I can’t wait” he said. Polly was a little less enthusiastic.

After class, Peter and Polly met up with their friends Bobby and Tilly Ladybug. “It’s great news about the field trip,” said Peter to Bobby excitedly. “Yes it is, I can’t wait,” Bobby replied. “It’s not really a girl thing,” whispered Tilly to Polly. “No,” whispered Polly “but at least it gets us out of class.”

Soon Wednesday came around. The Police Station was just a short walk through the village. Constable Bigwig was waiting to greet the children. He had bright red cheeks, and a funny sort of moustache. He looked friendly and was smart in his black police officers uniform. The badge on his hat shone so brightly in the afternoon sun.

Peter and Bobby were anxious to get inside the station to have a look around. There were two cells, which were empty much to the boy’s relief. “We hardly ever use the cells. The people of Pipsville are very good citizens and do not give me much worry,” said Constable Bigwig, “most of my time is spent helping Mayor Percy during the occasional flood or minor disaster,” he added.

“Oh that is good news,” called out the children. The rest of the afternoon Constable Bigwig explained the running of the Police Station to the children. Bobby and Peter thought they would like to be police officers when they grew up. It did not sound as though it would be a very scary job at all. “Tomorrow you will have to write an essay on your trip to the Police Station,” said Mrs Bentwood to her class. “And I want to hear about everything you have learnt today,” added Mr Hoplop, Bobby and Tilly’s teacher.

That night over dinner, Peter excitedly told his dad Mayor Percy about the school trip to the Police Station. “Constable Bigwig is very nice and friendly. I would like to be a policeman like him when I grow up,” said Peter happily. “That is a very noble profession son. If that is what you want to do when you are old enough, that will be fine with me,” said Mayor Percy as he gave his son a hug.