National Galleries of Scotland

Commissioned as part of a series titled `Force?, documenting the diverse roles of Scotland?s police force, this photograph shows PC John Bryden of the Northern Constabulary. He is stationed at Mallaig Police Station, with five other officers. Together they police an enormous area of the West Highlands. As well as being a uniformed police officer, John is also a Wildlife crime officer which involves working closely with environmental organisations such as Scottish Natural Heritage and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. This photograph shows him with an eagle owl. In contrast to his uniform which stands out as a beacon of security, the owl is camouflaged against the landscape and looks ready to hunt.