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A Personal
Test
I first heard about
the 11th Commando
Marathon, an event
organised by IPA
Section Poland
member Mariusz
(Mario) Berezoeski,
through 9 Region’s
Facebook.
I initially
decided not to put
myself through the
challenge - thinking
that it was likely to
do me more harm
than good!
However, having read about the event in more
detail I began to have a change of heart and
decided to get in touch with Mario - via 9
Region's Secretary, Martyn Evans. Martyn’s
invaluable advice and tips helped me with
my 4 months preparation to be ready to
participate in the event.
The purpose of the event was to promote
competition of uniformed services from all
over Europe, as well as to offer an opportunity
to members of the Prison, Army, Police and
Fire services to put themselves to the test in
extreme conditions.
All participants had to wear full combat
gear and carry 10kg (22lb) backpacks. They
would have 7 hours to complete a 26.2 mile
(42.6km) route, through woods and fields - all
in temperatures below zero degrees!
Everyone who completed the run successfully
was rewarded with a medal, certificate and
endorsed ‘Maraton Komandosa’ long-sleeved
top.
As well as acheiving a personal goal I was
given a guided tour and background of
Krakow prison. It was a real eye-opener
compared to the British Prison system.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank
Mario for organising the event and Paulina
Walasek for her encouragement and support.
Kiran Gharial
,
London North of the Thames branch
19
Seven Year Old
Police Officer
Joins the IPA
Section UK has recruited its youngest ever
member - seven year old Malachi Tyler from the
Metropolitan Police.
Malachi was diagnosed with an incurable brain
tumour and neurofibrosis when he was just 15
months old and has made a ‘bucket list’. A lot of
his wishes have been fulfilled by police officers at
Kingston Police Station, such as a ride in a police
car and ‘making an arrest’. Then on 9 January,
Malachi ‘passed out’ in his complete set of police
uniform, with badge number, along with other
officers at the passing out parade in Hendon.
Section UK invited Malachi to become a member
of IPA and his enrolment papers were processed
and he has was issued with his IPA membership
card in February. Since that time, brave Malachi
has been in and out of hospital.
IPA members can follow Malachi’s journey
on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MalachisJourney
POLICE WORLD
Vol 60 No. 2, 2015
IPA News
Staffordshire branch
Get Racey
Thirty one Staffordshire branch
members
attended a table top horse race evening in
February.
During the event six coloured horses ran
in various races, each horse being sold to
a new owner for every race. The winning
owner taking the winners pot if their horse
won.
Branch Secretary, Bryan Davies said,
“Once the horses were at the start line, owners
rolled large coloured dice from a bucket and the
resulting score and colour on the dice advanced
the horses along the course to shouts and cheers
from all participants. There were flat races and
jump races with all the problems that real racing
holds - such as falling at fences. We even held
a double dice race which would mean that one
horse could move twice as fast if its colour came
up on both dice at the same time.”
The evening was such a success, plans for its
return next year are already in place.
VP
on
Friendship
The Northamptonshire branch AGM
was held in February, 2015, and
welcomed Vice President UK, Sean
Hannigan as a guest speaker.
Sean
gave an interesting talk about the
friendship of the IPA - which was well
received by the members.
The events of the last year were
discussed and it was agreed that
it was another successful year for
the branch. We all know that social
occasions don’t happen on their
own so a thanks to the committee
and other members who helped out.
Events for the forthcoming year were
also discussed and it looks like another great
year ahead for
the branch.
A big thanks to Maureen Tapp for preparing the
food which was absolutely delicious.
Alex Thompson
, Northamptonshire branch
Sean Hannigan, far right , with members
of the Northamptonshire Committee
Staffordshire branch members on race night