PW_2_2023

Keeping you informed

Keeping you informed As I write this article, I have just had a particularly busy period of IPA activity. I have enjoyed some lessons to improve my shooting skills, at a discipline known as down the line (DTL). This was possible thanks to a bursary from The IPA UK lottery. If you are not a member, I highly recommend it, particularly as my numbers came up recently with both a first (£100) and a third (£40) prize within just a couple of months. I should add I have nothing to do with the selection, and the numbers are generated by a random app by our friendly and helpful office staff. Austria. Section Austria provided excellent hospitality, even arranging snow on the last day of our visit so we could see the mountains at their best. The full day meeting on Friday was productive, and I brought back several ideas to our own Executive. Talking about travel, do remember the IPA can offer very affordable accommodation in many areas of the world. I have previously stayed in the IPA house in Lisbon, Portugal and the IPA house in Dublin, Ireland. I was aware of an IPA house in Lapland and had been meaning to look into the logistics of a visit. Anyway, When I met with our friends from Austria, they had recently returned from a stay in the IPA house Lapland, and it has spurred me on to use this facility myself. I hope to arrange an IPA visit, and if I do, I will keep you posted. Just another example of the fantastic member benefits which you can access through your membership.

I n January, I met by zoom, with the Chairs of our Branches and Regions. I particularly wanted to consider recruitment and retention issues. The number of members leaving our association continues to be greater than those joining, and I want to ensure I had not missed any golden opportunities to increase membership. Thank you to all of you that attended. It was as always, great to catch up, and I thank you for your contributions. I have been travelling over the past few weeks. Together with other members of your National Executive, I flew to Belfast, where we were met by Deirdre Mahony, (Chair Region 2) who dropped us in Dundalk. Sadly, due to a previous engagement, she was unable to stay with us but Region 2 were well represented by Sam Olphert (Vice Chair), Petra Loyer, (Treasurer) and Cate Connolly (Secretary). I chaired a meeting of your National Executive, followed by a meeting with the Executive of Region 2, and then a meeting with the Executive of Section Ireland. This was a great example of inter-section working, and as always, we enjoyed excellent hospitality from our friends in Section Ireland. Thank you, Conor and all. A bit like buses, with only two days to change the contents of the suitcase, Helen and I were off again. We took the opportunity to attend the Gimborn Conversation for Seniors Talks, which were this year hosted in Salzburg

Staying with a travel theme, I wanted to personally thank our London Reception Officer (LRO) Alex Williams. We receive many, many IPA visitors to the UK throughout the year, and the vast majority travel to or through London. Alex has put in a tremendous amount of effort to help and advise guests. Remember, we have access to the Civil Service Club if you are popping into the city. Alex has also recruited a group of volunteers who assist him in managing these visits. Thank you to you all for giving up your time to help others from around the globe visiting our capital. It shows the IPA UK at its best and I’m grateful to you all.

President Martin Hoffman and Secretary Robert Neumann presentation in Saltzburg

Visit to Red Bull Racing Hangar 7 Saltzburg

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POLICE WORLD Vol 68 No.2, 2023