Five police officers from Chelmsford, Essex were each presented with a gold key to the town of Chelmsford, Massachussetts when they were guests of honour at the opening of the town's new police station.
The keys were presented in recognition of the visit and the bonds of respect and friendship between the two towns, which have been strengthened since a series of articles in the Essex Chronicle last year.
The policemen, all based in Chelmsford, Essex, were also presented with a framed proclamation from the town manager, Bernard Lynch, and selectmen - the equivalent of councillors.
Special Constable Doug Warren, who organised the trip, said: ''Quite a lot of the town folk thanked us for coming and wanted photos with us as a memento of the occasion, and local TV and newspaper photographers also recorded the opening.
''The Essex officers also had a chance to go out on patrol with their 'blues and twos' colleagues.
''We observed how they perform their daily tasks. There was not much different between us. We all came back with something from the trip, memories and police uniform,'' said Mr Warren.
The new £7million two-level police station houses 64 police officers under Chief of Police Ray McCusker, as well as a detective branch.
Published Friday, June 6, 2003
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