Police_World_02_2018

Working on your behalf

Working on your behalf It is with great honour that I write to you once again as President of Section UK and sadly for the very last time which I shall explain within this article. I sincerely trust that you will find this latest edition of Police World rewarding and that it inspires you to take up some of the adventures that our members are having using the IPA as a mechanism to reach out to friends old and new through our international links across the globe.

A s mentioned in my last WOYB article “what happens during the year (2018) is somewhat down to you”. Well, for Sara and me that day was during January 2018, when a decision to change the direction of our lives for the future was made and I signed on the dotted line to move occupations to work within the Police Service of St Helena in the South Atlantic. Nothing was definitively set as talks with my employer continued through January to possibly retaining my services beyond my signing date but ultimately this was not to be. As you can imagine, it was not an easy choice even with its warm weather, due to the remote location of St Helena and the day to day norm being somewhat different from life in the UK. The crux was not to have regrets over missed opportunities and give it a go but I knew this would mean personal sacrifice both for my family and for myself. With any life-changing decision, there are naturally seen and sometimes unseen impacts or consequences. For the IPA in Section UK, this involves me stepping aside as President which, if you asked me back in June 2017 upon my re-election in Durham, I would never have envisaged happening. However, in the interests of all the members and those who have supported me in my role throughout my time on the NEC, first as a Vice President and then becoming President, it is the right decision, having reached the pinnacle of my IPA life. With today’s technology, you can self-administer from anywhere in the world but visibility and a regular connection with the membership by attending events and activities is equally key.

In the interim until early June we will continue to drive forward with our plans, and post June 2018 whoever is on the new NEC will be able to take us into the next decade knowing a considerable amount of the foundation work has been completed. Some of these foundations to enable and support the longer term Section UK Strategy have been put in place by the planning of future international events up to the year 2025 which, together with the stabilising of the budget, has enabled the current NEC to set aside money for all these significant events. The goal of any NEC should always be to have increased member numbers, and by retaining happy and content members we have our best ambassadors to recruit. We have managed over recent years to stabilise but we must now take the next step whilst maintaining our vision to have A Vibrant IPA, which will no doubt be a core objective of the new NEC. For those thinking of standing for election, I have mentioned on previous occasions that you will need time. Aside from all the obligatory meetings such as the NCM, NEC meeting, AGM visits as well as the World Congress, the NEC and/or Section UK need to be visible both at home and internationally. Hence why in my current working role I feel I cannot fully commit one hundred percent to do this. This is especially important for our 20 in 2020 anniversary celebrations which I hope all our members will support and become involved in during the year. Personally, there has been an enormous amount of satisfaction that has come with the NEC role and a pride that we are all doing this to enhance the membership experience for all.

As a Section we are embarking on some very important times ahead with significant planning going into events that will showcase the Section globally. It is equally unfair on a long term basis to put extra undue burden on my NEC colleagues to attend to matters which I would have undertaken had I been in the UK. Likewise, it would not be right to cherry-pick certain events over others. What does this mean for Section UK? In essence, it will involve an election at the National Council Meeting this year which, as you know, is to be held in Scotland, where I shall stand down. It has been a great privilege to serve you. Despite trying my hardest, it has not always gone to plan but it was not for the lack of willpower to make it happen. Occasionally matters outside your control get in the way of your best intentions. I have had a truly wonderful nine years on the NEC and the time is now right to let someone else take over the reins. In my opinion, it would be a real positive if a number of candidates stepped forward to seek election and dependent on who stands there potentially will be opportunities on the NEC as well. A fresh pair of Presidential eyes will naturally bring about a stepping up of focus and energy for all on the Executive. Unforeseen issues or situations can occur, and we all have to juggle what is most important and my adage has always been family, work and then the IPA. It is fair to say that this will mean a further period of transition, but I am confident that as a collective the new NEC will be able to achieve all that we have set out to do as detailed in our various strategies which have been published during my tenure.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 63 No. 2, 2018