Police World Edition 4 2014

IPA News

Look

New Deals on the Way

Michele Rai, Business Operations Manager at IPA HQ - Section UK, is currently working closely with Devere Hotels to come up with some great offers for IPA members. Michele told Police World, “Whilst we are still negotiating with them, IPA members might like to take a look at some of the great deals currently on offer.” For more information visit: www.deverevenues.co.uk/en/special-deals/

Johannes and Pat

Meeting up with IPA Tirol In April, my wife and I booked a week’s holiday to Pertisau on Achensee in the Austrian Tyrol. We have been there before and have enjoyed the area - especially the walking.

in the area with 14 rooms, and 2 lodges. This rental accommodation is in a great area for skiing in winter and walking cycling etc in the summer. After an exchange of mementos we parted company agreeing to keep in touch. Making these contacts through IPA does enhance our trips and confirms my belief that joining the organisation all those years ago was a good move. Being a member has enriched our travel experiences - and has

I filled in the IPA travel form and within two days of submitting the form I had a reply from Johannes Fiechtl from the Zillertal region - where we were staying. We met Johannes at our hotel on the Saturday evening, together with his wife Emmy, and enjoyed a pleasant evening. Johannes works at Mayerhofen police station - both he and his wife also run a guesthouse Make the Most of the IPA This year, I decided to return to Cyprus to visit my son’s grave, he died at 1 day old and was buried in Dhekelia military cemetery. My problem was that in the past entry onto the base was restricted. Having written to the base Commander and got no reply I contacted Jo Conway at IPA HQ - Section UK with my problem. She contacted the President of Section Cyprus, Michael Odysseos, who emailed me with the details of two serving IPA members who would be willing to assist me. At this point it could have gone wrong because although I have been an IPA member for 19 years I had never asked for help and was reluctant to contact the officers. I thus decided to visit the cemetery without making contact. Fortunately, my wife and I were allowed to pass through the check point. Later, I realised not only how stupid I had been but also felt very ungrateful in not accepting their offer. The next morning, just by chance, Dimitris Tsokkos of the Larnica police was visiting our hotel. I introduced myself to him as an IPA member and asked him if he could pass a message to Andreas Pallaris, one of the contacts in Larnica, to inform him that although we had successfully visited the cemetery I was

Positive Response

made us many new friends. Pat Bailey , Norfolk branch

Members of the IPA, especially

office holders, have responded positively to an appeal, by Vice President Mark Kernohan, to direct new members to the on-line application form rather than

in his debt knowing that if I had any problems help was at hand.

Jo Conway

submit paper applications. In an appeal last

month, Mark said, “Since the launch of the Free Membership offer, we have witnessed a return in use of paper application forms, which had remained accessible for occasions where internet access is impossible. Whilst we are delighted to receive applications, the on-line application form should be the primary method in all but exceptional circumstances. The continued use of printed forms will be monitored. Branches issuing them must ensure quality control checks are made before posting to IPA HQ - Section UK, ie all questions are completed fully and legibly. Branches must destroy copies of the old version of the printed form and discontinue using Freepost.” Jo Conway, who processes application forms at IPA HQ - Section UK , has noticed a marked reduction in the number of paper forms being received; at the same time there does not appear any detrimental effect on the number of people applying for membership (247 enrolments during June and 107 in July 2014).

Dimitris immediately telephoned Andreas and although he was in a meeting - he left it to speak to me. He was very kind, stating that although he was pleased the visit was successful he would have liked to have met me. Dimitris told me he has been an IPA member for 25 years and had used IPA contacts on many occasions when on vacation. His parting words were that the IPA was an institution of friendship and I should never be afraid to use it. In conclusion, I now know what IPA friendship means and although our visit went smoothly there were many pitfalls we could have fallen into. Therefore, I would like to pass on this message to all members - “DON’T BE LIKE ME, DONT BE AFRAID TO CONTACT FELLOW MEMBERS.” This experience just proves what a fantastic organisation the IPA is if you allow it. Barrie Timson , London North (of the Thames) branch

22

POLICE WORLD Vol 59 No. 4, 2014