Page 16 - Police World Edition 4, 2013

A committee was formed which had
involvement from the International
Social Commission (ISC)
represented by Billy Saunderson from
Section Ireland and Section UK NEC
members. The Northern Ireland committee
became, by virtue of location, the main
element for all organisation, communication
and involvement of IPA and this was
supported by the Section UK
Communications Team at Fox Road.
The aims of the IPA involvement were to
increase the Association’s brand image
around the world, to provide support to IPA
members attending both socially and to
assist with accommodation. There would
also be an opportunity for police officers, as
competitors or spectators, to join
the Association.
Where these aims achieved? They most
certainly were. Over 5000 police officers
visited the IPA stand over the five days of
registration - all receiving literature outlining
the benefits of joining the IPA in any of the
member countries. This was so successful
that the private companies, with stands
either side of IPA, commented that they were
so thankful to IPA for attracting business.
Seventeen new IPA members signed up at
the stand from Ireland, UK, Canada, USA,
Australia and Germany.
IPA had Bronze Partnership status and it
was recognised by the organisers of the
games that IPA was the first police
membership organisation to provide
sponsorship since the games first
commenced in 1984. Lots of visitors to
the stand also commented that it was
great to see a police sponsor.
As part of the sponsorship IPA obtained
naming rights to the lawn bowls
competition which meant that over the
four days of the competition (which was
open to the public) the IPA had banners
and displays whilst people competed from
all over the world.
The IPA also had VIP tickets to the opening
ceremony which was attended by over
25000 people. It had access to all venues
so members of local IPA carried pop up
banners and advertising cards and
distributed them to the visitors at most of
the events.
IPA Northern Ireland’s contribution was
invaluable - helping with accommodation,
transport and in one country's case - help
with meal expenses.
The IPA held a party, which was sponsored
jointly by the IPA Sections North and South
of Ireland, for 235 IPA members who had
attended the games - making it the largest
party of the games - bigger even than the
‘next host of the games’ party night.
Twenty four IPA countries were
represented at the party. There were
guests from the organisers of the games
as well as Judith Gillespie, Deputy Chief
Constable of the Police Service Northern
Ireland and IPA member, who also
dropped in.
The IPA was also represented by members
of the Permanent Executive Bureau (PEB),
the ISC and members from Section Ireland
and Section UK. IPA members won lots of
medals in lots of different sports (we are
in the process of collating a list of winners
through the High Achievers Award. This will
be published once completed).
The IPA had tickets for the closing
party where the Red Arrows
made a surprise flyover
and Guinness flowed for
all who attended.
Mark Kernohan
After the International Executive Council (IEC) meeting in Romania in 2011, the IPA in Northern
Ireland became custodians of the IPA sponsorship package of the World Police and Fire Games,
2013. Mark Kernohan reports on what happened next.
16 Police World Vol 58 No.4 2013
The IPA sponsored lawn bowls tournament
London Metropolitan police dragon boat team
Carole spence presents bronze medal
to IPA member from Hong Kong
International
President
Pierre-Martin Moulin
To view more
imagery from this event
Visit:www.ipa-uk.org /
WPFG-image-gallery
Belfast 2013
IN TER NATIONAL POLICE
ASS
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by IPA 1974© SERVOPERAMI KECO World Police
Fire Games