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IPA Section UK

Vol 67 No.3 2022

The magazine of the International Police Association, Section UK

www.ipa-uk.org

IPA Young Members’ Event - Austria See Page 08

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Contents Police World The magazine of the International Police Association, Section UK

Vol 67 No.3 2022

Keeping You Informed 4–5 Keeping You Informed Clive Wood President of Section UK 6–7 National Council Meeting Colin Hutt, Section UK VP (Communications) Professional Development 8–9 IPA Young Members Event – Austria

Editorial Neil Hallam e-mail: mail@neilhallam.com Deadline for article submission for Vol. 67 Edition 4, 2022 is 05 September 2022 Dispatched November 2022

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Advertising Michele Rai tel: (+44) 115 981 3638 e-mail: michele.rai@ipa-uk.org

Abi McKie, South Yorkshire Branch & Harriet Roberts, West Mercia Branch

Spotlight on the SIGs 12

General enquiries IPA HQ - Section UK, 1 Fox Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. NG2 6AJ tel: (+44) 0115 981 3638 e-mail: mail@ipa-uk.org Printed by Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Portsmouth,

The Italian Job - Motorcycle Rally in the Dolomites Mick Sharman-Davies Motorcycle SIG and Devon Branch Motorcycle SIG Announces 2023 AGM Plans Stuart McMillan, Secretary, IPA Motorcycle SIG

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Feature Articles 10

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50 years membership of the IPA, remembered Peter Martin, Surrey Branch

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11 Region Anniversary Cruise Dave Stamp, Sussex Branch Ambulances to The Gambia Louise Arthur, Avon & Somerset Branch

Hampshire PO6 1TR Graphic Design by BDS 21 Ltd Membership

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Cayman Kind: Policing in a British Overseas Territory. Brian Faint, IPA Representative: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Ian Fox: 50 Years of IPA Membership in Cornwall Wilf Rickard Secretary, Cornwall Branch Ireland Section friendship week, to celebrate the centenary of An Garda Siochana Kiran Gharial, 9 Region - Social Secretary Stereometric photography: Trialling the modern world in the 1970s Les Stilwell, Sussex Branch D-Day Map Room & Fort Nelson Dave Stamp, Sussex Branch Chairman

In Section UK, the membership comprises serving and retired Police Officers, Special Constables and members of Police Staff employed by a Chief Constable or other appropriately designated Chief Officer. We also now offer associate membership. The Section has a unique mixture of police personnel who are still serving, retired, or in some instances, who have voluntarily resigned from the police service. For details of who can join Section UK, go to www.ipa-uk.org/Join-Us Join the IPA from £20. Visit the website to learn about our promotional offers. Annual renewal is £32. To apply either visit www.ipa-uk.org or request an application form from the general enquiries team. A guide to Region numbers 1 - Scotland Region 2 - Northern Ireland Region 3 - North of England including Isle of Man Region 4 - Wales Region 5 - Midlands Region 6 - Central and West London Region 7 - South & Southwest including the Channel Islands Region 8 - East Anglia Region 9 - Northern Home Counties and North and Northwest London Region 10 - Essex and East London Region 11 - Southern Home Counties and South London Region

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SIGs

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Caravan & Camping SIG Family History Group

Motorcycle SIG Police Educators

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Writers’ SIG Walkers’ Group Amateur Radio Section

News 20–23 News from around IPA Competitions 25 Crossword and Soduko

WIN one of these books by Peter Bleksley and John Lucas

Sports 27

IPA National Golf Competition Yvonne McGregor, Section UK VP Social / Cultural & Tayside Branch

Next deadline 05 September 2022 for publication November 2022 Cover Photo Front Cover - Abi McKie & Harriet Roberts, at the Young Members Event in Austria

28–29 IPA World Games 2022, Montenegro

Douglas Ogilvie, Tayside Branch & Dr. Musaed Alnajjar, Section UK (Associate member from Kuwait)

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Classifieds

Diary

POLICE WORLD Vol 67 No.3, 2022

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ISSN No: 0032-261X

Keeping you informed

Keeping you informed

I start this article both happy and sad. I am sad that two members of our National Executive have chosen to step down before the end of their term of office. Whilst I fully support their decisions it would be remiss of me not to thank them both for the great personal contribution they have made to this Association during their term on the NEC.

T hank you Sean, and thank you Martin. I know you both intend to keep involved with matters at a Regional level, so I am sure we will not lose touch. It was my great pleasure to award you both a certificate of appreciation adding to the Honorary Life Member status conferred on you for our big birthday back in 2020. I am happy that there was so much interest in filling the vacancies, with several candidates coming forward. Out National Council elected Colin Hutt from Region 7 as the new Vice President for all matters Communication, and Ben Brickley from Region 9 as your new Vice President Professional. I very much look forward to working with them both as part of the team over the coming years, and have set a development day aside in July to start to shape our priorities. Although there will be more elsewhere in this Police World about the National Council Meeting in Lincoln, it is important for me to let you know

I was delighted to be able to make several other awards at Lincoln: Honorary Life Membership (HLM) was awarded to Sav Kyriakou. Presidential Awards went to:

• Donna Powell • Cate Connolly • Alex Williams • Doug Ogilvie • Brian Collins • Bassam Mocharrafie • Andrew Amos • Musaed Alnajjar

who from the NEC will be your liaison in regions. • Region 1 - VP Socio-Cultural Yvonne McGregor • Region 2 - myself • Region 3 - Treasurer Bill Lloyd • Region 4 - Secretary General Steve Bretherton • Region 5 - Myself • Region 6 - VP Professional Ben Brickley • Region 7 - VP Comms Colin Hutt • Region 8 - Secretary General Steve Bretherton • Region 9 - VP Professional Ben Brickley

• Region 10 - Treasurer Bill Lloyd • Region 11 - VP Comms Colin Hutt All the special interest groups (SIG’s) continue to sit with VP Socio-Cultural Yvonne McGregor.

Sav Kyriakou - Honorary Life Member

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Keeping you informed

nne, Clive, Ben, Steve

Your new National Executive: Colin, Bill, Yvo

The Millennium Shield was awarded to Region 7 for their fantastic contribution to supporting policing of the G-7 summit in Devon and Cornwall last year. Now onto a few other bits. Denmark celebrated their 60th anniversary recently, and I was delighted to accept their invitation to a celebration in Copenhagen. I joined them for their council meeting and saw their President, Michael Boolsen, re-elected unopposed.

Clive at the 38th Pan-Helenic Congress Exchanging gifts with President Vlasios Valatsos

I was also delighted to accept an invitation from the new President of Greece, Vlasios Valatsos, to represent you at the 38th Pan-Hellenic Congress in Kavala. This was a lovely few days, helped by the weather. Helen and I chose to stay on for a few days at our own expense to make the best of some much-needed sunshine. Looking forward over the next few months I am off to Gimborn for a week’s seminar. I know I mention it occasionally, but Gimborn is a real member benefit and opportunity. I will tell you more once I’ve been, but I am thoroughly looking forward to revisiting and hopefully making new friends and reconnecting with old ones.

Do all stay safe.

In friendship Clive Wood, Section UK President

Clive in Copenhagen attending the meeting of the Danish national board

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Article

National Council Meeting ( NCM ) 2022 Colin Hutt , Section UK VP (Communications)

I am delighted to have been elected to the post of Vice President (Communications), and one of the first things I would like to communicate is my thanks to 5 Region, in particular Lincoln Branch and the volunteers, who put together the program and made us all feel so welcome. Gurmit Kaur (Chair 5 Region) and Derek Canton (Chair Lincoln Branch), thank you very much for organizing a superb program, in such good weather and escorting the guests on the visits to your wonderful city. I must also say a huge thank you to the volunteer police cadets that handed out the badges and welcome packs as delegates and guests arrived. Quite a long day. T he whole weekend was blessed with great weather , which was enjoyed by delegates’ partners and guests, who had a fantastic visit to the International Bomber Command Museum, while the rest enjoyed a meeting of minds at the Chairs, Secretaries and Treasurers get- togethers. Our first day was rounded off with an informal meal, allowing an opportunity We said a fond farewell to two members of the NEC, Sean Hannigan, and Martin Turner, who were stepping down from their Vice President positions and myself and Ben Brickley were welcomed to the positions of Vice President - Communications and Professional, respectively. Our thanks and best wishes go to Sean and Martin for all they have done during their tenure.

to catch up and meet friends old and new. It was good to get back to meeting face to face. Zoom is great for what it does, but it cannot beat sitting down with people and forging the friendships that the IPA is all about. Saturday dawned hot and sunny, and we got down to the main event, whilst those not involved in the National Council Meeting had superb weather to visit Lincoln Castle and Cathedral and enjoy the delights of the city. The minds must have worked together well on the Friday, as once we got into the meeting the motions were dealt with quickly, without much debate from the floor. This is a credit to the regions for ensuring that the motions were discussed prior to the NCM, and regional executives expressed the views of their respective regions in the way they voted.

Our President Clive had the pleasure of making several Presidential awards to members recognizing their contribution to the IPA. This included the Millennium Shield presented to 7 Region, for the work they did contributing to the G7 conference in Cornwall, and spreading the word of the IPA to the thousands of officers and staff that came through the admin areas. Huge congratulations to all recipients. Clive was also very pleased to make an award of Honorary Life membership to Sav Kyriakou, for his outstanding dedication and contribution to the IPA. The weekend came to an end after our gala dinner and dance on the Saturday evening, where we were joined by Lincolnshire Chief Constable Chris Haward and his wife Catherine. Clive made a presentation of a Scottish cup of friendship, known as a quaich, from which they shared a wee dram. A good night was had by all and a fitting end to an excellent weekend, which allowed us to meet together in friendship for the first time in three years. Well done 5 Region.

Our thanks and best wishes go to Sean and Martin for all they have done during their tenure

Martin, Clive and Sean

A good night was had by all …

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Article

The new National Executive Comittee

We did get through our business efficiently, and the following motions were agreed: 1 Amendment to Rule 11, re membership of officers who voluntarily resign after three years. 2 Amendment to Rule 12.1, will now read that an emblem will be sent (not specifically a lapel pin). 3 On even number years the NCM will be held by Zoom. 4 Various motions to grant other police organisations full membership of the IPA were successful. 4a Ports Police forces, to include: Bristol including Avonmouth Dock Police, Falmouth Dock Police, Mersey Docks & Harbour Police, Portland Harbour Police, Tees & the Hartlepool Port Police. 4b Cathedral Constables, to include: Canterbury, Chester, Liverpool, and York Minster. 4c Members of HM Military Police Forces. (This motion aims to extend the hand of friendship, and would be subject to the normal rules that apply currently to Police officers/Retired Officers and Police Staff.) 4d Warranted Border Force Officers. 4e Police Volunteers 5 A new rule was carried to prevent persons whose membership of the IPA was terminated, from taking part in or being invited to any IPA activities. 6 Proposals to include Parks Police, Kew Gardens Police and the proposal to include non-warranted Border Force was not supported and not voted on.

Bomber Command Museum

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fessional Development

IPA Young Members’ Event - Austria Abi McKie , South Yorkshire Branch & Harriet Roberts , West Mercia Branch Two members of Section UK attended the recent Young Members’ Event in Austria. Abi McKie, is a Response Officer with South Yorkshire Police. Harriet Roberts, is a West Mercia Officer.

Abi on top of the ski jump

Abi describes her experience Abi described the IPA Young Members event hosted by IPA Austria’s Tirol section, as:

The most invaluable experience of my career so far; in how it has facilitated conversations around policing, the friends I have made and the opportunities it has opened for me.

M y journey began with a flight from Manchester to Vienna for a quick stop over, before I left for Innsbruck the following morning by train, to start the itinerary that Fabian Payr had put together for us. At Innsbruck I was picked up by Fabian and Lisa, and met the other international members from Netherlands, Germany and Finland, along with my fellow British cop, Harriett. This is when I learnt that English is one of the most international languages in the world, and I knew instantly that we would have fun as a group. It felt that despite our different nationalities our job brought us together as a family. After freshening up at Hotel Rumerhof, we headed to Police Academy Tirol – Siek for an afternoon and evening of celebrating the Austrian IPA. The mountain backdrop was stunning and a little surreal, considering we were at a Police Academy with volleyball pitches, football pitches, gyms, sports halls and running tracks. We were pleased of the sports facilities, to work off eating our weight in potato salad and

barbequed meat, washed down by many a beer provided by the organisers. There were awards from IPA Austria for the sports teams and serving officers. Hundreds of people joined us at the event, as the IPA in Austria has 30,000 members, and this was their annual summer party. We chatted all night about different policing matters and learnt about other forces across Europe. This included how shocked other countries are that the UK do not routinely carry guns, and how our “policing by consent” translates; especially around use of force and communication. We also spoke about similarities in our forces, which are too numerous to list. We also experienced the Italian IPA band playing a set of songs which got us all singing. It was great to be able to sing along to some of the songs, and to hear music from around Europe too. On Friday, after a group breakfast, we visited Swarovski Crystal World as a big group, with Italian IPA members joining us too. My personal favourite was the real snow inside a cold glass room, with a Christmas tree in the middle. This

was probably because we all huddled in an igloo and had fun making snow beards on each other. It was nice to feel cold for a few moments as the weather outside was about 26 degrees, something we are definitely not used to in the UK. After this, we visited a little Austrian Schnapps distillery in Tirol, again with a stunning backdrop of mountains. We learnt about the Schnapps distilling process and found that they must store it for four years before selling it. They use fruits from different regions, and it is dependent on the season as to what flavours they make. It appeared that it was very similar to making flavoured gins. They use similar fermenting equipment and mash processes. After the brewery, we returned to the academy for another BBQ, staying late into the evening again chatting, laughing and enjoying getting to know each other and our jobs. The sports events continued, and the Italian band played again. This was the first evening that we wore our uniforms, becoming instant celebrities. The British smart uniform made us look like we were starring in a

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Professional Development

facilitating interesting policing conversations and needs to be pushed more in the UK, especially for young members. It has been one of the most enjoyable and valuable experiences of my life, and I now know that I have friends who I will visit in other countries both for leisure and IPA events. It has been an opportunity that I will treasure and be grateful for, for a very long time and cannot thank the IPA and organisers enough. Harriet adds: M y trip to Austria with the IPA was something incredible. I have never experienced a trip like it, with such a sense of belonging and so many like-minded people to talk to and share stories with. Our hotel accommodation was amazing. Abi and I landed a room with a balcony and a big corner sofa with great views of the surrounding mountains. After settling in, we went to the police academy for a summer party and BBQ. Here we met up with everyone from the various sections including lots

film, and a lot of members loved our hats. This was actually the first time I have worn my dress uniform in public and I felt very proud. It was nice to see other uniforms from around Europe, and interesting that many duty uniforms still include a shirt and tie. Some wore a duty uniform like the UK, with cargo style trousers and wicking tops. We were presented with a tote bag of IPA gifts from Italy in front of all the members in our uniforms. Our last full day together felt a little bittersweet, but we had a jam-packed itinerary, starting in the morning with breakfast together in uniform, ready for our official photos. We had photos taken with Austrian police cars, met a training Lieutenant and the press photographer for IPA Austria. We also exchanged gifts with each other and presented Fabian with his gift too. We traded patches, challenge coins, pin badges and so many other bits and bobs – something I will treasure. We all then changed into civilian clothing for a trip to the police station at Innsbruck. I travelled in the front of the police mini-bus and put blue lights and sirens on. Their siren is very happy sounding.

At the schnapps distillery

of Austrians from the academy. We spent the rest of the day chatting, eating, drinking and playing fun sports, one of which was human size inflatable table football. I don’t think Abi will mind me saying here that we were both terrible, and continuously kicked the ball out at every opportunity. We also took some informal photos in uniform. We felt like celebrities, as everyone wanted photos with Abi and I in our formal uniforms. I can’t help but think this is because we looked like something off The Bill . We had some free time to do a bit of shopping. Abi and I decided to go on the hunt for some ice cream. I can tell you that for €1.80, it was one of the best and biggest I have had. Of course, we had some time shopping in the gift shop, where I quite happily spent more than my rent on shiny things. Oops!

We toured the police station and saw the map of where they patrol, looked at their CCTV rooms and how they control it, met their police station manager and deputy, and learnt about their job roles. We then had their duty kit demonstrated, learning what they carry on their person and in their cars. We went into their control room which contained only three dispatchers for the whole district, which is very different to home, where we would have many more call-takers and dispatchers. All their staff are serving police officers and must have had at least two years of street duty before applying for roles in dispatch. This is because they need to be able to understand the roles of officers on the street, know the areas, and recognise what officers may need at certain jobs. After this, we went into the city of Innsbruck for a walking tour led by Fabian. After a buffet

Abi (right) and Harriet (left) with their huge mango ice creams

On one evening our hosts took us in to the city to go clubbing. They found a club with a private balcony, on which we could escape the busy dance floor. All in all, I can’t recommend this trip enough. It was full of like-minded people who shared a good laugh and many stories. I will carry these memories with me for the rest of my career. During the trip I made some very good international friends. I am hoping to meet up with one of them in Finland soon, and there is talk about some of us all meeting up in Amsterdam in the near future. This trip was more than I could have hoped for and to anyone thinking about joining the IPA I say, “go for it”, you won’t regret it, as opportunities like this should not be missed.

lunch we visited Bergisel Ski Jump, which is an Olympic hosting venue. We met a 12 year champion ski jumper, who talked us through the arena and the skills involved in jumping. We went to the top of the jump and saw the ski jumpers uniform and equipment. Then, we travelled back into the city to explore the shops. Harriett and I wandered around souvenir shops and ate mango ice cream, enjoying the views and soaking up the sun and architecture in the city. What I have learnt from this experience includes; that it really does not matter where in the world you are from, our job brings us together as a family and gives you international friends for life. The IPA is important in

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Article

50 years Membership of the IPA,

Remembered Peter Martin , Surrey Branch It was in 1972 that I joined the IPA to visit Holland with Surrey branch. An invitation had been extended by the Rosendaal Branch in The Netherlands, to coincide with Floriade 72 . Those interested in gardening might know that this is a festival of flowers and gardening held every 10 years in Holland. It takes five years of planning and landscaping to create a national park after the event O n arrival in Holland , I was met by a young Dutch officer called Evert Thalen, who whisked me off to his home in Year’s Ball in Malta, to an expat family in Rotorua New Zealand, or the welcome and hosting in Auckland.

50 year presentation

Williamstead. Meeting his new wife, Rennie, a friendship developed which has lasted over 50 years. We visited each other’s houses, shared adventures as our children grew older, and enjoyed our love of caravanning together. Little did I know then, that the new family of the IPA, would enable my family to meet and experience life with other policemen and their families around the world. In Surrey I became the Supplies Officer, then Treasurer, Secretary and Chairman over time. I had the pleasure to arrange two group visits to the CRS in Bethune, France. Each one a memorable occasion. As a family, we visited the IPA house in Heukelum, a moated castle, complete with draw bridge, as well as staying in other Dutch IPA houses, each one with a distinctive character. On another occasion we stayed in a log cabin in Germany, driving deep into the woods, during a snowstorm. Here we met German IPA members, who arranged a traditional meal with their parents, who spoke wonderful English, (his father being interned in a British POW camp during the war.) When travelling, we always tried to understand the culture and values of those countries we visited, and can thank our large IPA police family who enabled this to happen. From a police New

I enjoyed three weeks with the Calgary Police force, following an IPA scholarship to study policing. On another occasion I was the British Policeman for a British week in Amstelveen,

Holland, facilitated by the IPA again. Our family visit to Norway was another

outstanding memory, where we were hosted by a family with five girls, who took our two daughters to their hearts. Although they could not speak each other’s language, they went off together playing and sharing life. On Mid Summer’s Day, I had the opportunity to police the harbour in Bergen with the local police force, a massive event, whilst Brenda, my wife and the children were taken to a local bonfire celebration. When visiting Denmark, we had parked in our hotel, when we were met by a uniformed car with two officers, the young female officer removed the rifle from the back seat to make room for the whole family, and we were taken to meet the police chief. For three days we were not allowed to drive, but taken to the most amazing places.

Evert Thalen in 1972

Kukonhof

None of the above would have happened without membership of the IPA. 50 years pass quickly, my children have left home, but they still have great memories of adventures in other countries, facilitated by our participation in our IPA family.

The Floriade programme from 1972

Police bikes lead the Flower Parade

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Article

11 Region Anniversary Cruise Dave Stamp , Sussex Branch 2020 was the year we were to celebrate the foundation of the IPA by Arthur Troop, with an iconic cruise. In previous years Sussex Branch had enjoyed short trips to Northern Europe with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

I n 2018, we spotted a suitable trip calling at Rouen, Honfleur and St. Malo. Fred Olsen supplied flyers and the cruise was advertised widely, resulting in 37 bookings, with some from the USA, Then of course Covid struck, and all plans were cancelled. However, we persisted and a five day cruise from Southampton aboard Fred Olsen’s new flagship, MS Bolette, was identified and the whole business was repeated. During the Covid crisis, Fred Olsen’s fleet was in “warm layup” in Rosyth and new ships Bolette and Borealis were purchased from the Holland America Line, and extensively updated. They were repainted and modernised to accept port-based electrical power, to allow docking in Scandinavian countries where the Green Credentials for shipping are of increasing importance. Bolette really is a fine ship with only 690 cabins and an excellent and helpful crew, most of whom have been with Fred Olsen for years. Most of our members were given generous perks, including a £150 on board spend or a £50 spend and a drinks package. The shows put on by the entertainment staff were of a very high standard and hugely enjoyable. Fred Olsen had given us a substantial discount, and we were also offered upgraded cabins, which was a nice touch. One member was given an enormous suite, which was so large, that we were all able to have

the complimentary reception in it in complete privacy, for drinks and group photographs taken by the ship’s photographic team. Section UK granted the event £600, and with the benefits given to us by Fred Olsen, we found it difficult to use the entire grant. Our first overnight cruise took us to Amsterdam, where we moored for 24 hours. This enabled members to do as they pleased. The majority visited the decennial Floriade, the Keukenhof gardens, the Tulip fields or the city itself on various trips organised from the ship. Another overnight sail took us to Rotterdam, where Bolette was moored in the centre of the city, next to the Erasmus Bridge for another 24 hours. Rotterdam was virtually destroyed during WWII, but has seized the opportunity to rebuild practically everything. Members were again free to do as they pleased, and all the major attractions of the city were within an easy walk of the ship. Some took tours organised from the ship, including learning about cheese or gin. A day at sea from Rotterdam, allowed us to enjoy a group Afternoon Tea in the ships Observatory at the top of the ship. Fred Olsen is an easy firm to deal with, and have ships working from Dover, Southampton, Liverpool and Newcastle. The cost of a cruise equates very easily with a hotel stay, and is well worth considering by branches for a very enjoyable event. I’ll be

Amsterdam

Afternoon tea

pleased to give you any help or advice.

Drinks party on balcony leaving Amsterdam

Rotterdam

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Spotlight on the SIGS

The Italian Job Motorcycle Rally in the Dolomites Mick Sharman-Davies , Motorcycle SIG and Devon Branch

The SIG originally planned to attend the 11th annual motorcycle rally in Predazzo, Italy in 2020, but we all know what got in the way. I booked again in 2021, but Italian COVID entry restrictions did not allow non-EU citizens to enter the country. So, third time lucky, I booked again for June 2022. O nce I started to plan the trip, it dawned on me - the distance involved, it was over 1000 miles each way. I planned photographs. The whole rally travelled as one large group, I worried about the risk of splitting up at junctions. Not a problem, as the local police provided an escort, stopping traffic at traffic told to make our way to the vehicle garage where tables were set up. This was the dinner, the BBQ was just a starter. The dinner was three courses and yes more wine. After dinner came the

to take three days each way, stopping overnight in Bethune and Strasbourg on the way out and Strasbourg and Calais on the way back. It was still a five hour journey to Folkestone from Devon. The outward journey was fairly uneventful, glorious sunshine and high temperatures, well for the first day anyway. The second day there was heavy rain for three hours, not the best riding conditions. Once I entered Germany on Thursday, I stopped at some services and bumped into some Belgians wearing IPA tabards. It turned out that they were attending the rally too, I asked if I could tag along, in the spirit of friendship they agreed straightaway. The event was attended by over 100 people from seven countries, I’d travelled the farthest, followed by the Spanish. On the first night the overview of the event was given out, nothing was announced in English, only Italian and German, fortunately I had begun talking to the other participants and they explained in broken English, or in my equally broken German. For meals I sat on a table of Germans and Austrians, the food was really good, three courses and as much wine as you wanted was included in the cost of the event. Friday morning saw an organised ride out, stopping in Predasso’s town square for

speeches, all in Italian. The event was organised by the local branch president Rosario Giuliani, he made a special mention that I was there and had travelled the furthest. He came to me afterwards with an interpreter and personally thanked me for attending, which I found humbling. The night was not yet over, as there were more speeches and presentations. I was surprised when Rosario called me to the front, the whole place erupted in cheers and applauding as I walked to the front, I felt like a celebrity. Rosario wanted to present me with a plaque as a token of thanks for making the effort to attend on my own, this was a complete surprise. I returned with the Belgians, Alfonso Grasso, the Secretary for the Liege Branch, their President Christian and his wife Carolin. They were only travelling as far as Germany, where we said our farewells. Despite the distance travelled, over 2500 miles, the event was well worth the effort. In true IPA style the welcome was very warm, language was not a barrier, I had a thoroughly good time.

lights and junctions, something that would never happen in the UK. The route took in a multitude of different road types, but the vast majority was in the mountains, it seemed strange riding through ski resorts without snow and the cable cars carrying walkers. The scenery was spectacular, the hairpins were challenging, remember the film The Italian Job? A lot of hairpins were tighter than those on the film, but good fun to negotiate. Lunch was at the restaurant Rifugio Crucolo, set in a stunning location, those Italian know how to eat, three hours and five courses later we left to carry on with the ride. The total distance for the day was 202 miles, and it was hot, 28 degrees at over 2000 metres. The ride out on Saturday followed the same pattern, spectacular scenery, good roads, lots of hairpins, some even tighter than the day before. Lunch was shorter, only two hours and three courses. The afternoon ride was a short affair, only around 30 miles, this ensured that everyone was back early to pack for leaving the following day and to get ready for dinner. Dinner was due to start at 8pm, I got there about 20 minutes early to find it in full flow. There was an oompah band, BBQ, buffet food and more wine, this time sparkling. Just after 9pm we were

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Article

Ambulances to The Gambia Louise Arthur , Avon & Somerset Branch

With all the ambulance and hospital documentaries that have been on our televisions of late, imagine living in a country where the citizens have to find their own means of getting to hospital, regardless of the injury or illness. Living somewhere where there is no ambulance service to call upon, in a country the size of Yorkshire, with just three hospitals dotted across it. That is the situation in The Gambia.

T his discovery came about through an earlier expedition when a team of eye surgeons went to the Gambia to conduct cataract operations. They were overwhelmed by the numbers of injured people desperate to see them about other ailments, such as sprains and burns. The severity of these injuries was such that the surgeons were left distraught when the only solution remaining for them was to amputate. From their expedition the Emergency Services Aid Charity was born, and “Operation Zephyr” has become their flag ship mission, with the aim of providing The Gambia with an ambulance service. The operation now has a mammoth task of fundraising and sourcing everything from the vehicles and equipment, plus providing training. The target date is now 18th September 2022 when the fleet of purchased and stocked ambulances will depart the UK in convoy. We will even have fire engines and a hearse in the convoy. Two IPA members from Avon & Somerset have been selected to join fellow volunteer colleagues, chosen from within the IPA from across the UK and Europe, to take part in the operation. Patrick Quinton and Louise Arthur will join the team of drivers taking the fleet down to the small, poor but emerging Commonwealth West African Nation. The severe impact that the lack of an ambulance service is currently having on communities, particularly those in rural areas unable to access medical care, truly does affect “life & limb”. The levels of maternal and infant mortality in The Gambia are unacceptably high, and are ranked among the highest on the Continent of Africa. It is estimated that 1050 per 100,000 births are affected with those hardest hit being in the rural areas. The manner of these deaths for both mother and child do not bear thinking about. As already mentioned, amputations through late presentations of minor wounds, burns and fractures are also alarmingly high. Sadly, amputations have become the more convenient option, as a patient is unable to travel to aftercare at hospitals. The impact this then has on families and the patient’s ability to find work is huge. This mission has the potential therefore to save the lives of thousands of Gambians, by providing them with access to medical care. It is estimated the convoy’s journey will take eight days. The route from the UK is to head down to Gibraltar to cross over the Strait to Tangier. From there, it is down past Larach and Rabat, Casablanca Island, Marrakech, Agadir, Tan Tan and into Western Sahara. The route then takes the convoy to the border of Mauritania at Nouadhibou, crossing into Senegal at Diama heading to Saint Louis, before they finally converge at Dakar to cross into The Gambia at Karang. The ambulances will then go their separate ways, to arrive at their final dispersal villages. The drivers will head back to the capital of Banjul in order to return home. As part of their volunteering, Patrick and Louise now have a fundraising target of £5,000 to contribute to the ESAC kitty, to enable the purchase of the vehicles and any equipment with which they can be filled. To date, six UK ambulances, four German ambulances and four UK Fire Engines have been purchased by the charity, along with donations of fire & medical kit and uniforms.

Patrick and Louise have currently raised £3,454, which has included a mufti day in the A&S Control Room, a St. Patricks Day themed cake sale and a quiz night is planned. Huel meal replacements have agreed to donate 15 participants with two meals a day for six days, plus the RAF have contributed 33 boxes of 24-hour ration packs to help the drivers throughout the long journey. Ways to help: Helping to source radios or walkie talkies, solar banks, power banks, jerry cans, spare tyres and any further ration pack style provisions. For the longer-term provision of equipment in The Gambia, any medical furniture, surgical appliances or any of a vast array of items useful in surgeries and onwards. If members are able to source equipment and wonder if it is suitable, please check with Louise Louise.Arthur@avonandsomerset.police.uk

Financial donations can also be made direct through www.tinyurl.com/ESAC-Donate or to the crowd funding page www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/esac-operationzephyr

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Cayman Kind: Policing in a British Overseas Territory Brian Faint , IPA Representative: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

The Cayman Islands is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, in the western Caribbean Sea. The 102-square- mile territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located to the south of Florida & Cuba. The capital city is George Town, Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) is a single, national police service. Just like the UK, it is an unarmed service, with an armed response capability. Founded in 1907, the RCIPS now has 395 police officers and 63 civilian staff, who serve the 60,000-70,000 people who live on the islands. G rand Cayman is renowned for its outstanding Seven Mile Beach , and some of the best diving and snorkelling environment. The motivation, after a tough day at work is a cold beer at the beach, or a “swim up bar,” while taking in a gorgeous sunset.

in the world. The tourism industry is significant to the island, second only to the financial services industry attracted by the tax-free incentives and salaries. Visiting cruise ships bring an influx of 8,000-10,000 people daily onto Grand Cayman, should we have three cruise ships visiting at the same time. My journey to Cayman is mixed with fortune, timing, and friends. I knew little about the Cayman Islands until I went on a Caribbean cruise in 2017 for my wife’s 50th birthday. The third stop on the cruise was Grand Cayman, where I met up with a Police Officer, Rick Connolly, who I worked with in 1992 in Cheshire. If anyone has visited the Cayman Islands, the weather, people, and lifestyle are fabulous all year round, which wasn’t always the case in Ellesmere Port. I retired in 2019, and contacted Rick, who had retired in the UK, and became an Officer on Cayman’s Marine Unit. He told me that a novel part of his role was responding to calls for service, to assist the ‘elite’ of society when they got into difficulty on their luxury yachts. It sounded idyllic. I thought that I must have some skills which could be utilised on this paradise island. In November 2020, I travelled over with Mike Lewis, from PSNI (RUC) and Brian Cook, City of London Police, to start my new policing career. I was told in jest that it was like being on the filmset of Death in Paradise. It most definitely isn’t, but the weather, beaches and culinary adventures are some of the few similarities. The policing is similar to the UK in many aspects, with Community Policing at the heart, and local Officers knowing their local communities really well. This is supplemented by expat Police Officers from across the Caribbean, Canada, and about 20 officers from the UK, with assistance from

The lifestyle is fabulous. I have adopted the Latino Ladies Football Club, and I am now their soccer coach in the Cayman Island Premier League, with my Jamaican colleague Mike from Intelligence. In conclusion, although the Cayman Islands is not without its challenges – living costs are expensive as the islands have to import virtually everything - but the weather never dips below 24°C, even in the winter, and we have 10 months sunshine, which makes a massive difference to your mindset. To think, I could have chosen to work for the National Crime Agency in Warrington, Cheshire, which was also an option at the time. I would have loved the role, but I’m not sure about the lifestyle, whereas here in the Cayman Islands, I am definitely “living” in my retirement.

Brian with Rick in the uniform of Cayman Islands Veterans Association

the locals and the Cayman Compass newspaper, which supports the RCIPS with their weekly editions. I am working in CID, investigating domestic violence. This is challenging but rewarding work, protecting the most vulnerable and putting the offenders in prison. The Courts are extremely supportive of the DV Unit with a specialist court four times per month. It is so rewarding to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, despite the language barriers at times. There are about 120 different nationalities on the island, with a vast range of languages and dialects. My Jamaican Patois is coming along nicely, with assistance from colleagues. Being a small, Caribbean Island, some of the processes and procedures in the RCIPS, are not as contemporary as those I was used to in the UK, which can be challenging at times. But there is something satisfying about learning to adapt and overcome challenges in a different working

HM Queen’s Birthday

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Ian Fox 50 Years of IPA Membership in Cornwall Wilf Rickard , Secretary, Cornwall Branch Ian Fox joined the IPA in January 1970, and has enjoyed membership continuously throughout. His most recent contribution was at the G7 Summit event in Cornwall, during the summer of 2021. R ecently, Tony Wilce, Treasurer, and Wilf Rickard , Secretary, visited Ian at his home to present him with his 50 years membership certificate. We also presented a Signal Service

certificate, in recognition of his contribution to the G7 Summit event. Ian’s wife Betty assisted with photos, and our thanks also go to her, for her support for Ian and the IPA throughout the years. Ian gave us a brief history of his IPA membership: In 1971 as a Police Constable in Torquay, I saw an advert about the Nottingham Branch of the IPA who were organising a visit to New York State. My surname (Fox) is the same as the Section UK address, which I took as a good omen, and joined the IPA. I was able to join the trip to America, making me the first person from my family to travel there. I stayed with a Police Officer named Richie Rose, along with his family. Richie was an officer in Nassau County, Long Island. The trip took us up the Hudson Valley, where we were met by IPA members from the RCMP, who took us up to Niagara Falls. We then travelled through Pennsylvania to Washington DC, where I stayed with another officer. He took me shooting, and I was asked if I would like to participate with other recruits, who were being trained in the use of CS gas. This I declined when I saw its effects. I also had a night shift tour in Washington. After my return to the UK and such a wonderful experience, I received a telegram stating that Richie Rose had been shot and killed on duty. I remained in contact with his family for over forty years and visited his mother on two occasions until her passing. I had been given Richie’s Police Cap, and this started my interest in collecting Police hats and badges.

My collection has been used to promote police friendship meets, and has also been used in school displays.

A few years ago, whilst visiting Banff in Canada, I was able to swop a helmet for an RCMP Stetson. I happened to mention how I started my collection, and that I had visited Niagara with the Nottinghamshire Branch. The officer told me that her uncle had also been on the same trip, and I remembered my fellow traveller, what a small world. Although not an active member now, I was happy to be the courier on a tour bus with California IPA members visiting Cornwall. I was also able to help, along with other IPA members, at the G7 Summit in Cornwall, assisting visiting Police Officers at the food stations. Friendship - the key to the IPA.

BSAP The British South Africa Police (BSAP) was the police force of Rhodesia (renamed Zimbabwe in 1980). It was created as a force of infantrymen in 1889 by Cecil Rhodes’ British South Africa Company, from which it took its original name, the British South Africa Company’s Police. I n a similar way to how British companies first ran things in India and Canada, the BSAP was initially run directly by the company. It began to operate independently in 1896, when it also dropped “Company’s” from its name. It continued to serve as Rhodesia’s regular police force until 1980, when it was replaced by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, after the country became Zimbabwe. By its closure in 1980, the BSAP had about 46,000 officers; 11,000 full-time professionals (about 60% black), and the remainder reservists (mostly white). Under Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwe Republic Police immediately adopted a policy whereby whites were forced into retirement at the earliest opportunity and replaced by black officers. The recruiting advert is one from the archives of the British South Africa Police Regimental Association, who are now among our IPA membership.

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Motorcycle SIG 2023 AGM Plans Stuart McMillan , Secretary, IPA Motorcycle SIG Please note that this relates to next year’s AGM, not this year’s, which was held in Ireland. Our group has always tried to move the AGM around each year, and looking at where we have been, we will have held it in all four countries of the United Kingdom. The last time we held the AGM in Scotland was 2015, so we decided to return in 2023. O n a family motorcycle trip around Scotland in 2021, Sally and I, together with our two children (who are hardly children these days but there you go), stayed in the Buccleuch Arms Hotel at Moffatt, in Dumfries and Galloway. The hosts are keen motorcyclists, and their facilities include complementary bike cleaning facilities and products, together with secure parking. The accommodation and food when we stayed was excellent, both in quality and quantity, and the bar stocks beers that I am more than happy to sample. The hotel is run by an IPA member, Dave and his wife Yvonne. The dates we have booked with the hotel are: Arrival – Friday 26th May 2023 Depart – Monday 29th May 2023. There are a range of rooms available, and we are looking to take over as much of the hotel as we can. A double room (at current prices) is £105.00 B&B for two people per night. There is one single room , one room which will accommodate 3 people , and two rooms which will accommodate 4 people in single beds if anyone is travelling alone and is willing to share. Cost for these rooms depends on the number of occupants. Should we fill this hotel, there are other hotels within walking distance. If you want to have a look at the hotel online then go to: www.buccleucharmshotel.com (ensure you go to this web address as there is another very similar named website for a different hotel, and you will see that the above dates are all blocked out), or you can telephone 01683 220003. When booking please refer your booking to Yvonne, and ensure you mention you are booking for the IPA Motorcycle Group AGM, or your booking will likely be declined. To help with planning, if you could also let me know if and what room(s) you book, I would appreciate it.

D-Day Map Room & Fort Nelson Dave Stamp , Sussex Branch Chairman Southwick House is an MOD site at the back of Portsdown Hill, north of Portsmouth. During the Second World War it was commandeered to house HMS Dryad, the Royal Navy’s Navigation School, and later became the HQ for the planning of Operation Overlord (The D-Day Landings). It is still an MOD site and permission must be sought in order to visit, a task ably taken on by Peter Martin, our branch’s Social Secretary. T he enormous wooden map of the south coast of England and the northern coast of France used during the planning of Overlord, still exists and frozen in time on the 6th June 1944, it hangs in the Wardroom of Southwick House. During our visit, our members enjoyed a fascinating two hour lecture about the history of the map and the build up to, what turned out to be, the largest and most successful seaborne invasion of all time. It was a very close-run thing as the enthusiastic lecturer, Richard Callaghan, explained. Richard works at the RMP (Royal Military Police) Museum, which is also on the site, but time restraints prevented us from visiting. Fort Nelson is one of five Victorian Forts built along the top of Portsdown Hill during the 1860’s, to protect Portsmouth and the Royal Dockyard from attack by land. It is now run by the Royal Armouries and houses the national collection of big guns, including part of the infamous “Saddam Gun” and a Railway Gun from the Great War. The Fort is a few minutes’ drive south of Southwick Park and it was here we had an excellent buffet lunch, within the complex which is not usually open to the public. After lunch we had an introduction to the Victorian concept of fortification, which resulted in the ring of forts around Portsmouth known as “Palmerston’s Follies.” This was followed by a guided tour of the Fort by one of the Royal Armouries staff. A visit to Fort Nelson is free, with ample car-parking and a very good Café, and very easy to get to. Sussex branch heavily subsidised the event to its members, as it does all IPA events.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 67 No.3, 2022