PW_2_2022

Keeping you informed

Keeping you informed

As I write this article there was only one issue dominating our daily news, the conflict in Ukraine. These things can move quickly, and I dearly hope that it has been resolved before Police World reaches your doormats. I recognise as a friendship Association, we are a-political, and that two member sections; Ukraine and Russia are affected by this conflict. The International Executive board decided to suspend Russia, and your UK National Executive are working hard to find appropriate ways for us to support IPA members and their families from Ukraine.

I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of members across the UK, willing to house IPA member refugees to enable them to expedite coming to the UK, and I thank all of you. We also received significant offers of help and assistance, should IPA members from Ukraine find themselves in the UK. We continue to work hard with Section Ukraine, and indeed Section Poland, to provide what support we can within our rules and constitution. I hope by the time you are reading this article the conflict has ceased, but I suspect the humanitarian need will persist for a long time to come. Section Ireland kindly hosted important and productive talks in Kilkenny earlier in the year. My thanks go to President Conor O’Higgins and his Executive for the excellent arrangements.

I also mentioned that, due to persistent problems with my shoulders, I was having a week at the Police Rehabilitation Centre, at Flint House in Goring upon Thames. I have never been before. What an excellent facility! It was truly an opportunity to reset. I met many younger officers who had been damaged while keeping communities safe by doing their job. It was a pleasure getting to know them, and I hope they did not tire too much of me extolling the virtues of IPA membership. Sadly, continuing Covid restrictions meant that the cruise Helen and I had looked forward to was cancelled. Not to be deterred, Helen immediately rebooked it, so we now have had a very busy period, with a short cruise around Europe, followed by a week in Norfolk, then a few

Presenting IPA Cyprus President Demetris Demetriou with founder Arthur Troop’s book

days in Cyprus; meeting with our friends from IPA Cyprus (especially Limassol). We have been accommodated at a very reasonable cost, in a nice hotel overlooking the sea. Any members thinking of visiting Cyprus can let me know, and I will be happy to share the details of our contact in Cyprus. I know they would be delighted to meet with you. Once again it is AGM season. My own branch in Leicestershire successfully formed a committee, and it was nice to see at least one new face at the meeting. I look forward to the coffee morning, and a possible canal boat cruise in the coming weeks. On the horizon; Section UK are hosting the new National President of Section Netherlands, together with his Secretary-General, at their request to reach out and develop better relations. This meeting will be in London, and I thank Vice President Martin Turner for making arrangements, including the involvement of younger members in the visit, which I hope will lead to a future exchange.

Police HQ Nicosia

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POLICE WORLD Vol 67 No.2, 2022