PW_4_2024

IPA News

German Officer on London Beat I am a 27-year-old Patrol Officer from Karlsruhe Police Headquarters in Baden-Württemberg, where I hold the rank of Polizeioberkommissar, which is comparable to a Police Sergeant in the UK. On the 23rd of March to the 27th of March my girlfriend and I visited London for the first time. On the first day we explored Whitechapel, where we learnt about Jack the Ripper. We were impressed by the variety of diverse cultures here, with lots of different types of restaurants, meaning we never went to bed hungry. The Tower of London, Tower Bridge and a visit to a British pub was also on our to-do list. On the second day the programme was tight, we visited the British Museum, Soho, Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace, and the classic sights around Westminster. In the evening, we met up with IPA member, Tom. We arranged to meet in a traditional British pub right on the Thames in St Kathrines Docks. We had lots of great and interesting conversations, and very quickly realised that police work is almost the same everywhere. The only major difference is that the British Police are mostly unarmed. To me, this is an interesting approach, I am convinced that I can do my job more safely with a weapon, whilst hoping that I will never have to use it. On the third day, we visited Notting Hill, Westfield Shopping Centre, the Imperial War Museum and Baker Street to see Sherlock Holmes. The exhibitions in the museum are highly recommended. Taking the Uber boat back to our hotel, before finding a Korean restaurant for our evening meal. On the fourth and final day, we had a birthday breakfast for my girlfriend, then visited the National Gallery Museum and Piccadilly Circus. At around lunchtime we travelled to Trafalgar Square and met another IPA Member Simeon, who gave us a tried and tested IPA Whitehall Walking tour, culminating with a visit to the Great Scotland Yard Stables. Here we met Kevin who explained everything about the work of the mounted unit and we learned that there are only a few differences between them and the German Polizeireiterstaffel. London has a much larger unit than Baden-Württemberg. We ended the afternoon in the Civil Service Club, where Simeon had some gifts for me, of course I was prepared with gifts also. Unfortunately, time passed quickly and with an early morning flight the next day we had to say goodbye. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alex, Simeon, Tom and Kevin for their advice, guidance, visits, and conversation. I would also like to thank IPA Germany and IPA UK for their kind support. I am sure, it will not be the last visit or exchange. I look forward to further exchanges, maybe in Karlsruhe. I would be incredibly happy to return the favour and if I can meet IPA members visiting in my region.

Popular Pub Meet-up Region 11 hosted a London based meet up event at the end of June. Open to members, not just from the region, but to all. After discussion between organisers Lorna Humphrey (Surrey branch) and Simeon Coughlan (Sussex branch) a plan was formed to meet at the famous Thameside Inn in the London Bridge area. This riverside location was the perfect meeting point. An event to meet members on a Sunday afternoon on a pub crawl, got lots of interest. Unfortunately, due to operational duties and sickness some members were unable to make it on the day. Those members who did meet had the opportunity to introduce themselves and discuss their roles in the IPA. With a passion about recruitment and retention the group discussed their thoughts and ideas on the topic. Engrossed in this discussion the group didn’t move to a different pub and stayed at the Thameside for the duration of the event. The group agreed to re-run the event due to the interest and meet again later in the year. If you are interested and would like to register your interest for the next event, please email 11region@ipa-uk.org

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POLICE WORLD Vol 69 No.4, 2024