i participated as a member of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Police Force-which is a semi military policeforce that protects Ministry of Defence Property throughtout the UK, We also guard USA airforce bases in the UK, and nuclear facilities and naval facilities which are owned by the government, therefore the major difference between us and civilian plice is that we are armed on duty, but do not have the powers of the civilian police and few or no involvement with civilians-mind you -those mad anti nuclear protestors that invaded Greenham Common was probably the last time the MOD police were in the public eye.
the only interesting work in Scotland is at Faslane when Nuclear Subs and support vessels are moving in or out-you get the nutty anti-nuclear crowd-eg rainbow warrior mob running a peace camp outside the base.

Only another three years to go and i retire to the civiilian sector. Maybe set up my own security business as a security consultant- I do have 5 years of army service plus 15 years service as an MOD officer behind me already. I want to go back and live in Edinburgh, at somepoint.
I hope your son gets in touch with his firemaster and tries to go to Quebec, it;s great meeting folk from around the world.