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Welcoming the World to London The Role of the London Reception Officer By Colin A. Shead , London Reception Officer, IPA Section UK In June this year, I had the honour of taking over the role of London Reception Officer (LRO) from Alex Williams – better known to many as “The Cycling Detective”. Alex had cared for the role with great passion for many years, and stepping into his shoes was both a privilege and, admittedly, a little daunting. The position carries a great deal of history and prestige within the International Police Association, and it provides a unique link between our members in the UK and colleagues across the world.

D espite my initial apprehension, the experience has already been immensely rewarding. So far this year, we have received 94 requests from serving and retired members visiting London. These range from simple meetups for a drink or to exchange challenge coins and patches, to arranging visits to the Tower of London, Downing Street and other iconic locations. The LRO role is fundamentally about connection — bringing police officers and staff together, strengthening bonds, and helping visitors experience the very best of London and UK policing heritage. I am supported by a remarkable team of more than 100 volunteers, consisting of serving and retired police officers and support staff. Between them, they speak over a dozen languages, enabling us to communicate and engage with visitors from all corners of the world. Without their dedication, the role simply would not function. We facilitate a wide range of activities including attendance at the historic Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, a 700‑year‑old ritual involving the formal locking of the Tower for the night. We also assist with sightseeing recommendations, help secure places to visit the Houses of Parliament, the Changing of the Guard, the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch stables, and even support occasional access to the Metropolitan Police Crime Museum (serving personnel only, with two months’ notice). Operational commitments permitting, we also arrange ride-alongs, station visits and opportunities to meet specialist policing units. Beyond London, many of our regional IPA branches are equally keen to host visitors, and we always encourage members to see more of what the UK has to offer. This year we hosted a delegation from the Swiss National Executive and welcomed Yogananda Pittman from the United States, for whom we

arranged a meeting in the Houses of Parliament with Dame Priti Patel followed by a private tour, a visit to New Scotland Yard and a memorable moment outside 10 Downing Street. We also hosted the IPA President from Peru while he was en route to Gimborn, Germany. Looking ahead to 2026, we will be hosting a large delegation from Denmark as well as a family group from Italy. The diversity of requests we receive— from formal delegations to individual visitors—highlights the global strength of the IPA. Several of our volunteers are qualified guides who offer walking tours, some free and some competitively priced, bringing London’s history to life. Subject to availability, we can also arrange accommodation at the Civil Service Club in Westminster, an excellent value location for visiting members. If you are planning a visit to London and would like assistance from the London Reception Team, please complete the IPA Travel Form and submit it as early as possible. Typed forms are preferred to ensure we can process your request quickly. For any queries or to check availability, you can contact the London Reception Officer at LondonReceptionOfficer@ipa-uk.co.uk or through the IPA Section UK website, or via your national IPA Travel Secretary, who will pass your request directly to us. Being the London Reception Officer is a privilege. Every visitor brings a new story and a fresh reminder of the spirit of international friendship that Arthur Troop envisioned. We look forward to welcoming you to London.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 71 No.1, 2026