PC Michael Goldie, 42, replaced PC Gordon Sweeney as the Springfield Road school’s campus cop at the start of term, and says he is already relishing the job ahead.

A community police officer in Barrhead for almost eight years, PC Goldie is well known in the community having spent years on the beat as a frontline officer.

However, he jumped at the chance to fill PC Sweeny’s boots.

Speaking to the Barrhead News this week, he said: “I’ve been at Barrhead and Giffnock for the best part of eight years now and the last two years I’ve been in the community policing department based in Barrhead.

“I’d like to think I’m quite well known to the community and some of the kids in the school and one of the things I enjoy about the job is being able to engage with the public.” PC Sweeney moved on to pastures new at the end of the last semester, and police chiefs quickly selected Michael for the new role.

As a campus cop, his role will include everything from working with the school and social work agencies to help organise and police school events and even take a pro-active role in extra-curricular activities such as the award winning East Renfrewshire Young Team initiative.

PC Sweeney will retain all the powers of arrest that a frontline officer boasts in his new role, however the role is not a disciplinary one, and contrary to popular belief the officers are not stationed in the school to act as onsite police.

Sergeant Jim Boyle, 47, local authority liaison officer for East Renfrewshire, said: “It’s a bit of a misconception that they are here for disciplinary reasons but they aren’t here for that role at all.

“They are here to do numerous roles, liaising with the teachers and numerous other agencies and the job they do is fantastic, they are appreciated both in the schools and in the communities.” PC Goldie will join colleague PC Alan Walker at Barrhead High School, who said: “It’s a great role to be in and I think that’s why many police get into the job, to become more involved in the community and do something to make it better.

“This role is really rewarding in that respect and because we can deal with a lot of things early and act in an early intervention role, we can help with a lot of issues and help youngsters in tough situations before they get themselves into trouble.”