PW_4_2024

Article

Orlando PD Visit Jon Stutley , 7 Region, Cornwall Branch

In May 2024 my partner and I, being the big kids that we are, spent two weeks in Orlando visiting the Disney and Universal Parks, but a visit to America couldn’t be done without meeting some colleagues and making some contacts out there, too.

T his was the first time I had used the Travel Form that the IPA provides, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was easy enough to do - fill in the blanks and send it off! Within a few days, UK HQ had made contact with the USA, who put me in contact with the Regional President for the area - Judy Duff. After exchanging a few emails, Judy arranged to meet me at Orlando Police Department for a tour and get together with the local officers. I met Judy and the Orlando PD officers at HQ one morning and we caught up and they showed me around their considerable Headquarters. It was striking to see that the Department had almost all of the same facilities as a UK county police force, in a city with roughly the same population as Bradford. The pride felt by the officers was reflected in the museum-like corridors with display cases showing the department’s long history. Of particular interest was that of the capture of serial killer Ted Bundy, where his straitjacket was still on display!

14

POLICE WORLD Vol 69 No.4, 2024