PW_1_2019

Keeping you informed

Keeping you informed I said last time how time flies and, again, this quarter has been no exception. Because of the deadline dates for this, the first Police World of 2019, we have not yet put up the Christmas decorations but I find myself wishing you all a very Happy New Year! So I do hope that you all had a safe and peaceful Christmas with family and friends.

F or those of you who have been a member now for a number of years, firstly thank you for renewing once again to continue your membership of our unique Association. I hope you continue to enjoy events within your Branch, Region or even internationally throughout the coming year and look forward to receiving updates from you in this magazine. For some of you having taken advantage of our 2018 free enrolment offer, and having now subscribed for your first year of full membership, this will be your first hard copy of Police World. I do hope you enjoy reading it and seeing the tremendous breadth of activities undertaken across the country throughout the year. Thank you for deciding to renew. If you have the time and energy to help out at Branch events I know you will be made really welcome and if not just attend a few events this year and make some new friends. Oh, and don’t forget: having made your first annual subscription, you can now avail yourself of opportunities to travel to Gimborn in Germany for professional development seminars with a £200 biannual grant. Further details are on the website, or contact VP Steve Bretherton who holds that portfolio. I know he would love to hear from you. There are some fantastic seminars running in 2019. Well worth the trip. You can also make use of our travel form to give you a level of reassurance when on holiday in other parts of the world, and even take a bit of a Busman‘s holiday to see policing locally and how it might differ from your own experience. Just contact our friendly and helpful staff at Fox Road for more information. I have reported in previous editions the fantastic response I have received. Now, whilst I was talking about Gimborn Professional Development Seminars, it struck me I should make mention of the Cultural Seminars which have been introduced this year thanks to the efforts of Vice President Sean Hannigan who holds the Cultural and Communication portfolio. I know Sean is planning a UK based cultural event this year called the “Crafty Copper”, looking at some of the wide range of skills our members have and how we might be able to introduce you all to something new. Further details will come from Sean in due course but I look forward to it. I also wanted to mention a significant piece of work being undertaken by Vice President Yvonne McGregor. Section UK have previously indicated a wish to host the International Young Police Officer Seminar for 2019 and

Yvonne is putting together a first class program for our international visitors when they visit Scotland in June. I am sure we will hear much more about that in future copies of Police World. Now a point for members both new and old. Are you a member of our lottery and if not why not? I recently got an email from Fred Boyd, our National Treasurer, telling me I had been awarded a grant from our lottery. He had advertised to all paying members of the lottery who wished to be considered for a development grant to put in a short report to him, which I had done. I’m delighted my application was successful and would really encourage you all firstly to be “in it to win it” and secondly to keep an eye open for these opportunities when Fred advertises again in the coming months. Finally I will just remind us all that we have our pecial 70 year anniversary next year when we will be running 20 events in 2020. I know many Regions and indeed some Branches are well developed with their plans. More advertised elsewhere in this magazine. I think next year will be a tremendous celebration of our Association and again I look forward to seeing as many of you at events both this year and next as I possibly can. In the meantime, until then, thank you for your continuing support.

Yours in friendship Clive Wood President Section UK

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POLICE WORLD Vol 64 No. 1, 2019