PW_1_2026

Professional Development

Shaping the Future of the IPA Strategic Young Members’ Conference – Gimborn Castle 2025 By Aaron Seeley , Region 8 In October, I had the privilege of representing the UK at the Strategic Young Members’ Conference (SYMC), hosted at the historic Gimborn Castle in Germany. The seminar brought together officers from across the globe, with delegates travelling from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Spain, Ireland, Lithuania,

Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Greece, and even Japan. T he aim of the SYMC is clear: to encourage greater involvement of younger serving officers within the International Police Association, and to explore new ways of making the IPA attractive, relevant, and sustainable for the future. Over two days, we took part in a range of interactive workshops and discussions. Topics included: Targeted communication in digital spaces – exploring how we can better reach younger audiences online. A key takeaway was the use of modern tools like ChatGPT to help shape engaging content for social media, ensuring our posts achieve the widest possible reach and resonate with the next generation of officers. Mentoring programmes – we learned about the innovative approach of IPA Ireland, who have introduced a mentoring scheme where young officers are trained in leadership and gain a recognised qualification to support their professional careers. These mentors then return to their respective regions as points of contact for younger officers, with a clear responsibility to reach out, guide, and encourage involvement. The scheme has already proven to be highly successful in growing engagement and fostering leadership skills. On Patrol schemes – strengthening opportunities for officers to spend time abroad, experiencing policing in another country.

Study trips and exchanges – practical ways to foster professional growth and international friendship. Having seen how other countries engage their younger officers, I want to bring that idea back to the UK. The plan is to have regional delegates who connect with younger members, feeding into a national liaison who represents us strategically. This way we can better share opportunities, gather feedback, and shape activities that are relevant to the next generation. Over time, and with support and funding, this structure could grow into a mentoring scheme, similar to our Irish neighbours, helping to prepare young officers for leadership while strengthening the future of the IPA. While the workshops were packed with ideas, the real heart of the conference came in the evenings. The castle bar quickly became a hub for open and honest discussions. Over a drink, we shared our stories and challenges – and despite coming from all corners of the world, it became clear that the job of a police officer is much the same everywhere. The same challenges, the same pressures, and the same shared sense of pride in service. Those conversations often carried just as much value as the official programme. The social side of the SYMC also reminded us of one of the IPA’s greatest strengths: its ability to connect people as friends as well as colleagues.

POLICE WORLD Vol 71 No.1, 2026

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