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IPA News

Death Squads, Robin Hood and International Friendship Tony Berrington, Chairman, Nottinghamshire Branch In June this year we met Francisco Badenes, an officer in the Federal Police in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. He took time out from an IPA conference in Belgium to visit the IPA HQ in Nottingham. Francisco won the IPA World Prize in 2006 for his work in connection with Brazil’s so-called “death squads” and he has continued that work to instil principals of honesty and integrity in Brazil’s Police, where corruption is rife. Annie and I took him on a tour of Nottingham, where his first stop was to meet Robin Hood, and he ended up in the stocks.

Leicestershire Cadets had a blast in Krefeld Eight police cadets spent a weekend in Leicester’s German twin-town, Krefeld, swapping their police berets for driver’s helmets as they took part in the town’s annual go-cart race, the ‘Seifenkistenrennen’. Over the weekend they were tasked with decorating their Leicestershire Police themed soapbox ready for the race on Sunday, and also spent a lot of time with Krefeld Police. Krefeld’s senior officer welcomed the group to their HQ, where they were shown around the control room and other departments. Next was a trip to the traffic unit where the cadets learned about policing Germany’s roads. They tried on some uniform, including bulletproof vests, and were given a demonstration of how the force use police dogs to track suspects. Volunteer Police Cadet Matthew Hares, aged16, said: “I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity and would like to thank everyone who made it possible. My favourite part was having the chance to interact with the Krefeld police officers. They hosted a BBQ for us on Saturday night and it was really interesting hearing about their experiences. I also had great fun driving the Leicestershire Police soapbox on Sunday.” The cadets were accompanied by cadet leaders PCSO Andrew Dunmore and PC Jade Furniss. PC Furniss said: “ It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for everyone and I found it so interesting to see how policing works in another country. My personal highlight was visiting the dog section, and the cadets loved sitting on the force motorbikes and in the cars. I feel proud to have represented Leicestershire Police with such a brilliant group of police cadets and hope to visit Krefeld again someday. ” PC Simon O’Connell organised the trip and said: “ As an active member

Francisco visited Section UK HQ, where Elke and Kerry showed him around. Then he met former International Secretary General, Alan Carter and Kevan Barrett, a 60 year IPA veteran who was visiting from Australia. Alan and Kevan took Francisco to Stamford where he met Arthur Troops son, Kevin. He received a signed copy of Arthur’s book Service Through Friendship , the book that Kevin wrote about his father. They then visited the local church where Francisco saw the memorial to IPA Founder Arthur Troop. On Tuesday it was back into the capable hands of Tony and Annie Berrington, who despite appalling weather, took Francisco to visit the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest. Francisco is a lover of the great outdoors, regularly

paddling his canoe through the Amazonian jungle. Sherwood’s trees are very different to the Amazon, but he enjoyed the peace and calm of our forest. That evening Francisco went for one of England’s adopted dishes, a Curry, with local members Graham and Jackie Buxton. Francisco left Nottingham early the next day, travelling back to Brazil via Portugal. Tony apologised for the unseasonable weather but Francisco’s gracious reply was “no other country is as inspiring as the UK”.

of the IPA it’s brilliant to help the Leicester and Krefeld branches reconnect. It’s even better that we can involve the police cadets and I hope that they will help to maintain the future relationship we hold with our German twin-town. A fantastic time was had by all, and I hope to be able to return to Krefeld with more cadets in 2021 .”

Norfolk Broads Caravan Rally Steve Palmer , Treasurer, No. 8 Region

Our final event was a very funny and entertaining performance at the End of the Pier Show in Cromer. We hope to be back in two years time, for our seventh event.

Steve and Lynn Palmer organised their sixth IPA Broads Caravan Rally in the beautiful Norfolk village of Ludham, which was attended by 30 members. The rally was held over a two week period with various activities organised and plenty of time to relax. Norfolk and Suffolk Branch organised a quiz in the village hall and served us a splendid buffet. On the hottest day in British history, we hired picnic boats for a day on The Broads. There is nothing better than relaxing at 4mph on the tranquil waters of the Broads. Plentiful wildlife and picturesque scenery made it an enjoyable day for all. We also enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea, provided by Pat Ash and her helpers. This was prepared in style with a proper china tea service.

POLICE WORLD Vol 64 No.4, 2019

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