PW_2_2021

Keeping you informed

Keeping you informed

As I write this article for our magazine, I am minded that it could be my last, because this is an election year for several posts on the National Executive. Mine is included, and I once again remind any of you who fancy putting yourself forward to give me a call.

I mentioned last time that I hoped to hold our National Council Meeting (NCM) in person in Lincoln, in June this year, particularly as it is an election year with the continued Patronage of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. Sadly, we have decided it was just not feasible for us to go ahead in person this year. I’m very disappointed, but being mindful of the Prime Minister‘s roadmap, it would be inappropriate for us to go forward in person. I remain grateful to Region 5 who have once again, together with the Lincolnshire Branch, offered to lead on hosting in 2022. I also wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to all Branch and Regional Secretaries, together with the committee members who have held annual general meetings (AGM’s), using technology to keep the Association within its Constitution and Rules. I recognise the challenge this can sometimes bring, so well done. I know many of you have encountered Zoom, for perhaps the first time, over the last 12 months. We have decided this is how we will proceed with our NCM. World Congress was held electronically with great success, and I am hopeful that we can work through what will be a different, but successful meeting of the Council, to decide on several priority issues. Among them will be an issue that I have mentioned to you before. This is the future of our property at Fox Road in Nottingham. We have previously entered into consultation with your Regional Executives, asking for their initial views on the future of the property. I am grateful to all of you who took the time to engage in that process. There is now a decision to be made and a further paper will be presented in June, to determine the future of the property one way or another. Whilst I am mentioning our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, I am delighted to share a Christmas card we received at Fox Road, together with a memento photograph I showed to those who were on the Zoom call before Christmas. I remain extremely grateful to Andy Gregory, Region 5, for his significant support in the production of the photograph.

Sadly, some of you may have seen the President of IPA Portugal, Anabela Alferes, passed away recently following a period of illness. Anabela was a great friend to our Section, and I was honoured to represent you at a memorial event hosted by IPA Israel recently via Zoom. Many Sections were present and I spoke briefly to deliver condolences from Section UK to her family and IPA Portugal. On a personal note, I wonder if any of you have put your name forward for a job with the forthcoming census? I thought it would be a way of helping fund our next holiday, when cruises are back on. Well, I have passed the first hurdle and now await a formal interview, so fingers crossed. Finally, this time I want to remind all members that one of the privileges of my role is to determine Presidential Awards and Honorary Life Memberships, which I confer during the NCM. Things have been particularly difficult and challenging over the past 12 months, so do please think about your colleagues and those that should be nominated for an award. Speak to your Branch or Regional Secretary to make sure the great work that many of our members do on our behalf and others is recognised. It has been my absolute pleasure to be your President for the past three years. Thank you for all the support I have received during my tenure. It would also be appropriate for me to thank the other members of your National Executive for the tremendous amount of time and effort they give supporting me to deliver the very best we can, for you the Members of the International Police Association’s founding section, UK.

Stay safe and well In friendship Clive Wood: Section UK President

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POLICE WORLD Vol 66 No.2, 2021