PW_2_2021

Professional Development

Strange & Testing

Times Martin Turner , Section UK: VP (Professional)

When I wrote my last article for Police World, I did not expect to still be in lockdown by February 2021. Happily, we now have several vaccine programmes, and in a few months’ time I hope things will indeed be in a much better place.

Martin Turner VP Professional

T he past year has been extremely challenging for us all and we are not past it yet. I have lost several colleagues and friends to the virus, so keeping a team of officers and staff motivated has been a great challenge. I pass on my sincere condolences to anyone who has suffered a loss to the pandemic. I have not been idle in my IPA business, despite the restrictions on what we can do currently. Work is ongoing on several initiatives, such as the International Learning & Development Exchange Programme, Gimborn Seminars, Online Conferences and other Development Opportunities. Keep an eye on the Facebook Group and website to take advantage of such opportunities, I highly recommend signing up for the daily web news emails from the Section UK office. Before Christmas I met with the French Police Attaché to the UK and her deputy. Commissaire General Nathalie Skiba is a member of IPA Section France and envisages utilising the IPA network to forge links between French and UK policing. She will become a member of Section UK for her time here in the UK, and I look forward to working with her on a variety of projects. Together with Nathalie, I am arranging support for a charity London to Paris cycle ride planned for later this year. Hundreds of police officers and staff are partnering with celebrities and community members, to cycle from the Police memorial in London to the UK embassy in Paris. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to take part or support this worthwhile event. I have also been busy ‘meeting’ with academic institutions and conference companies, to negotiate participation in their academic programmes. This is important to keep the IPA current and accessible to current and prospective members. Aidan Goundry and I continue to work with the Young Member Forum, to improve how Section UK attracts and retains serving members of the police family. Aidan and his team of UK members regularly feed great ideas into the NEC for us to support and develop. Do look out for a rebrand of the YMF later this year, Aidan and I are keen to ensure the initiative is not bound by age, but is about a desire to maintain currency and accessibility for the Section.

I have been in regular contact with colleagues and friends from across our fine association, developing opportunities for members and improving our links with other sections. We are working on getting UK members to Germany, the Netherlands and Poland once travel restrictions are lifted. I have also done regular zoom Q&As with German Police students as part of their initial training. Later this year I will be chairing several Gimborn seminars, hopefully in person at the wonderful Gimborn Castle. Remember that you can apply for bursaries to support attendance, please visit the website to find out more. I will be in touch with some of you soon to discuss delivering inputs at some of these seminars. With topics ranging from Gangs, Counter Terrorism and Missing People, to Self Defence, Disaster Management and Drones – there really is a seminar for everyone! Do get in touch with me if you think you can deliver an input on one of the UK seminars this year, or if you have an idea/ request for a seminar next year. Finally, I want to pass on my immense gratitude to the many of you who have helped me with various pieces of work over the last few months. To those who have worked hard in your various fields during this pandemic, be it paid or voluntary. Keep on supporting each other, stay safe and stay positive. Martin Turner: Section UK: VP (Professional) vpturner@ipa-uk.org

POLICE WORLD Vol 66 No.2, 2021

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