Fed member highlights her rewarding role helping young people thrive

29 May 2026

Being a Dyfed Powys Police schools officer has enabled PC Hannah Evans to combine two of her interests into one rewarding role.

Hannah says she was unsure whether to go into teaching or policing when starting her working career.

But after choosing policing, the opportunity to become a schools police officer allowed her to draw on both to support children and young people.

She said: “I was torn between going into teaching or joining the police, but my mind was set on being a police officer. I wanted to make a difference in communities.

“So when this role came up it was a no-brainer for me. It kind of ties them together.”

 

PC Hannah Evans

 

Hannah joined policing in 2012 as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), before becoming a PC in 2014.

After working on response, Hannah took the opportunity to become a school police officer covering mid and north Ceredigion.

She is one of 14 school police officers in Dyfed Powys Police, delivering lessons and providing safeguarding support to pupils aged between three and 18.

She said: “The core aim of our role as school police officers is to build trustful relationships with young people as they progress through the school system, enabling positive interactions with police from a young age.

Domestic abuse

“We will attend and deliver inputs to young people on child sexual abuse and exploitation, sexting, antisocial behaviour, domestic abuse, sexual consent, and also driving offences and consequences of driving offences.”

The role goes beyond classroom presentations, Hannah said.

She said: “As part of our role, we work to embed a strong prevention culture when working alongside schools to educate and prevent children and young people from entering the criminal justice system.

“The supportive school policing element of our role has a big emphasis on not criminalising children and young people, and offering alternative restorative approaches.

“The overall aim is to safeguard and support any vulnerabilities and work with partner agencies including youth services.”

 

Hannah speaks to school children

 

Hannah regularly supports safeguarding meetings and works closely with teachers, parents and external agencies to help young people receive the right support before problems escalate.

A key part of the role is building trust and positive relationships with young people from an early age.

Hannah said: “We attend the classroom from age three right through to 18, so we’re able to build trusting relationships as they progress through the school system.

“Then, if they do have concerns or something they want to discuss, they see us as a safe adult they can approach and speak to.

“By building that trust and having that consistent presence within the school environment, it can make young people feel safe.

“The relationships we build can have a real impact, not just in preventing issues that are happening now, but hopefully making a positive difference beyond the classroom in years to come.”

She added: “I am passionate about making a difference and the role is really rewarding.”

Rewarding

School officers are also able to respond to local concerns and issues affecting communities.

Hannah said: “For example, we are part of the Neighbourhood Policing Prevention Teams, so if we are aware of antisocial behaviour issues within a particular area, we can deliver lessons in schools to raise awareness and help pupils understand what constitutes antisocial behaviour and the effect it has on the community.”

Among the sessions delivered by school officers is ‘Olivia’s Story’, which raises awareness around road safety and highlights the consequences of the fatal five offences.

“We’re in a privileged position where we can go into schools and educate young people to be better prepared when driving vehicles,” she said.

“Hopefully it helps young people to understand that some actions have serious consequences and to know the law relating to driving offences.”

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