Most areas in UK have Police Community Support Officers (uniformed but not exactly full Police Officers) and their role is as you describe Rap. They move about their area chatting to people and listening to concerns, and they get to know the youngsters, the ne'er-do-wells, the elderly, the addicts etc. The school where my husband works has regular visits from the PCSO and he/she chats to the students (aged 11-18) and helps with any problems. They also get to know any troublemakers. But the very idea of their being armed is appalling. I just can't imagine such a thing.
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