eden court

Northern Constabulary are delighted to be bringing a mixture of art and modern policing to the Highlands and Islands over the month of February.

An exhibition of photographs by artist, Jane Brettle, was welcomed at Eden Court Theatre today (Monday 02 February) showing police officers from all of the eight forces in Scotland in their varied and contemporary roles.

The photographs, which were commissioned by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, look at a range of different roles from the Mounted Section of Lothian and Borders Police to the Police Mountain Rescue Team in Grampian Police and featured in the 26 portraits are two officers from Northern Constabulary.

Welcoming the exhibition to the Highlands and Islands was Colin Marr, Director of Eden Court, who commented: “We are pleased to welcome this exhibition to Eden Court. It offers an interesting and unique insight into the work of the police, and I am sure that people will be surprised at the wide range of photographs on display “.

Jane Brettle, author of the photographs, welcomed the display in Eden Court Theatre: “My aim for the project was to portray the police officers and support staff in relation to their various roles and activities while asking them to engage with the camera and the viewer in the traditional sense of the painted portrait. Through discovering what was unique to each force I was interested in making portraits of the individuals and groups in their working and family environment ” the people behind the uniform – not a documentary account of policing.”

Chief Constable Ian Latimer stated: “The roles that police officers undertake across Scotland over recent years have become more diverse and Police Forces are constantly looking at ways not only to combat crime but to prevent it.

“One such way that we embrace this is by our community based policing style which sees officers living and working within their own local areas and engaging with the residents within.

“We are delighted that members of the public will be able to come and view the portraits and if they want to, come along to the weekly talks that we will be facilitating over February at Eden Court.”

In conjunction with the exhibition, different police officers from Northern Constabulary will be conducting a series of informal talks every Tuesday in February from 6-7pm (commencing from 03 February). Starting with wildlife crime on 03 February, PC Scott Haig talking about his experiences in the most northerly police station in the UK isles in Unst on 10 February, Firearms Officers explaining the defensive technologies available to Northern Constabulary Officers on 17 February and lastly looking at the technology and expertise used at road traffic collisions on 24 February.

Northern Constabulary are encouraging members of the public to come along and see the exhibition which will be open to all on the first and second floors of the theatre until 27 February.

Editors Note:
We would encourage anyone with information about drug or crime  related activity to contact:
Northern Constabulary on 01463 715555
or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Your call could make that crucial difference”