A CARLISLE mum has said a heartfelt thank you to Cumbria Police for going truly above and beyond the call of duty in making her nine-year-old boy’s dreams come true.

Oliver Bennet - officially Cumbria Police’s “only Operational Support Mini Police officer” - will be lending his colleagues a hand with some riot training this April at the force’s headquarters in Penrith.

Having Duchenne muscular dystrophy hasn’t gotten in the way of Oliver becoming the county’s youngest keeper of the peace.

Oliver’s mum Alix says he loves the idea of becoming a police officer when he grows up.

First getting in touch with the police about a year ago, Oliver and his family - dad Ross, Ariana, six and Jack, two - were first invited to their local police station at Shadygrove Road.

“Then we got invited to the main base at Penrith, they showed him the cars the bikes and the riot vans, as well some of the police dogs.”

Thanking the police “massively” for the kindness they had shown Oliver, Alix assumed that would be it.

“But they’ve kept on getting in touch, inviting us along to things, giving us presents, even coming round to our house so Oliver can meet some of the other police dogs,” she said.

Alix explained that Oliver’s condition requires him to use a wheelchair when he gets too tired.

“Duchenne is a muscle wasting condition,” she said. “His muscles can’t repair themselves. It is life-limiting.”

The rapidly progressive condition affects about one in every 3,500 to 5,000 boys.

Inspector Kim Brennand said, who heads up the police’s tactical support and dog unit, said her and her team were happy “to have been able to support Oliver in his dream of becoming a police officer.”

Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said she was looking forward to meeting Oliver in April, and to thank him for “his commitment as our only Operational Support Mini Police officer.”

Alix added: “They make him feel so special and part of the team, even though he’s nine.

“We’re extremely grateful to them for making him so happy.”