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Keeping you informed

Keeping you informed Readers will know that this edition of Police World usually includes my report from our National Council Meeting, which this year was to be held in Lincoln, recognising our 70th anniversary and our founder Arthur Troop’s connection with the county. I know that a huge amount of planning had gone into what would have been a very special NCM for us, and I want to thank all members of the organising committee for their efforts. Next year’s NCM will now be held in Lincoln on 4-6 June 2021.

I know that all members of our Association have been touched in some way by changes to everyday life, and the very real challenges the pandemic has presented. All of us on the National Executive were saddened to hear when any of our members succumbed to the virus, and those most affected remain in our thoughts. To recognise these unprecedented and unique circumstances, I have asked the Vice President for Communications and Culture, Sean Hannigan, to open an E book of remembrance. This will be a space to remember IPA members who have passed during this difficult time. On a brighter note; I was delighted when Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, agreed to become our patron in our anniversary year. I have just taken delivery of a signed portrait which will be displayed at Fox Road. I had spoken with her office about the possibility of Her Highness visiting one of our special Iconic Events, although sadly, most have been cancelled or postponed until next year. As I write this, Helen and I should have been on the cruise ship Queen Victoria, celebrating with members from around the world on our UK cruise. I would like to repeat my thanks to all members of the organising committees, who worked so hard arranging events which have been cancelled or postponed. Since the lockdown began, we have seen changes in the way we conduct our activities, with much greater use of social media and digital platforms. Yes, I know not everyone uses the Internet, which is why I have asked all Branches to reach out to their members during this difficult time, to make sure no one has experienced unnecessary difficulties. I have been pleased to see the regular coffee mornings run by VP Sean Hannigan, together with the wine forum and quizzes organised by VP Yvonne McGregor. So, if you have been online, there has been a lot to keep you busy. I joined the On Terrorism webinars run by IBZ Gimborn. They provided an excellent opportunity to hear from experts in the field, without leaving my study. Our own Writers’ SIG have also worked with Gimborn to deliver a series of Webinars on Creative Writing. Thank you to the team at Gimborn for this and I hope there will be many more in the future. For those who might find travelling to Germany a little too much, these online webinars are well worth looking into. I commissioned several working groups over the last year, which I want to update you about. One of these is a Strategic Estate Review, which is about deciding what we want to do with our current HQ at Fox Road in Nottingham.

I am grateful to our Secretary General, Steve Bretherton, who has collated the findings in a paper for the National Executive. This will form the basis of consultation with our National Council. If you have not already shared your views about our HQ, please pass them to your Regional Executive, through your own Branch. Whatever the outcome, this decision will be made by the Association, not by the Executive. I also commissioned a Recruitment & Retention working group to look at the challenges facing the association. I am really pleased to announce that our Young Member Forum (YMF) who met in February, under the guidance of VP (Professional) Martin Turner, were able to deliver over 150 ideas to help support ongoing recruitment and retention. These ideas are being reviewed by the relevant portfolio holders, and I have asked Martin if members of the YMF could support us in that review. Two new initiatives coming from the Recruitment and Retention working group were supported by the National Executive at our recent Zoom meeting. More details will come out shortly, but they include a special offer for anyone joining with a friend, essentially a two for one joining offer. Another excellent offer was to reduce joining fees proportionately throughout the year, removing any temptation to delay joining the IPA. I’m grateful to all those involved on the Recruitment and Retention working group. Work continues, but these are excellent offers, which I’m sure we can communicate widely to help our recruiting drives.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 65 No.3, 2020