Police World 1 2017

Article

Volunteer Police Cadets Leicestershire Cadets compete in German Soap Box Derby A partnership between IPA Leicestershire Branch, the City of Leicester Town Twinning Association (CLETA) and Leicestershire Police has enabled a group of eight Volunteer Police Cadets (VPCs) to take part in the annual soapbox derby held in Leicester’s twin city of Krefeld, Germany. O ver the August Bank Holiday weekend , the cadets were given a high profile send-off by the Chief Constable of Leicestershire, Simon Cole QPM (IPA Member). The cadets arrived at the start line to a rapturous applause from the thousands of spectators. They only had two minor crashes during their many downhill runs. The cadets handled the occasion well and gave a good account of themselves. No bones were broken and they all returned home in one piece! Comments from some of the cadets, one mum and the Cadet leader, Sergeant Danny Graham:

In Krefeld, the cadets visited Community Youth Training workshops where they helped prepare two soapboxes, decorating them with POLICE logos and flashing blue lights. They worked in unison with German students and were able to have a practice session down the only hill in the vicinity of Krefeld: a beautiful forest location on the outskirts of the city. At the soapbox derby we were joined by Vice President Sean Hannigan. The cadets paraded in uniform for the City of Krefeld Oberburgermeister (City Mayor), Frank Meyer, who put on a superb picnic for our group. He was thrilled to be presented with a Leicestershire police helmet by IPA Leicestershire Chairman, Clive Wood.

Cameron Bills said: Just wanted to send a thank you to all of the organisers of our trip to Krefeld. I had a brilliant time and enjoyed it. The experience will be one I will not forget. Oliver Stretton said: I would like to say a huge thank you to you and the IPA for such a fantastic experience in Germany! Ali. (Rosie McGahan’s Mum) said: I would like to thank you for looking after Rosie in Krefeld and for the experience she has been so fortunate to experience.

POLICE WORLD Vol 62 No. 1, 2017

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