Police World Edition 3 2015

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IBZ Gimborn
IBZ Gimborn is one of the Jewels in the IPA’s crown. Sean Hannigan, Vice-President of Section UK, holds
the professional portfolio which includes Gimborn and has been associated with this International Seminar
Centre since joining the IPA some 17 years ago. Sean gives an overview on what Gimborn has to offer.
The Seminar centre is set in the small
German village of Gimborn about an hour
away from Cologne. The fantastic setting
of Gimborn Castle along with its fabulous grounds
makes it an ideal location to enable Police Staff
and Police Officers from all over the world to come
together and enjoy a unique learning experience.
Section UK offer support of up to £200 which
covers the majority of the participation fee
of 285 Euro for UK participants. Visit the IPA
website to find
information on Seminars and how to claim the
£200 and eligibility. Some branches and Regions
also offer some help with travel costs to Gimborn.
The Seminars are set out so you experience
around 7 different speakers from across a wide
spectrum of practical, social, academic and
policing experiences; the speakers are usually
experts in their field. There are few other policing
associated educational places offering such
a rich and dynamic experience. There is the
opportunity to go on a field trip related to
the Seminar.
What makes Gimborn unique is the opportunity to
share experiences with colleagues from all over
the world and from all levels of the Police Service.
Although most learning takes place during the
presentations it is over meals that other learning,
equally valuable, takes place. The atmosphere in
Gimborn is one of the best you could experience
as an IPA member. You also get the opportunity to
cement friendships made at previous Seminars
and make new ones. It is commonplace to
develop those friendships and indeed progress
them to visits to other countries.
Gimborn is planning to offer in 2016 a number of
Seminars in English on subjects such as Sexual
Violence, Travelling Criminals, Cyber-Crime, Islam
and Islamism, Football Violence, Road Policing,
and Protecting the Protector. Details will be
released later in the year.
I would like to thank all those IPA members who
suggested topics as well as speakers for the
Seminars. If you would like to be considered as
a Speaker at Gimborn then why not join the Police
Educators Special Interest Group (SIG)
I am keen to ensure that all IPA members can
enjoy Gimborn as participants and speakers.
I would also welcome more retired members to
Gimborn so that you too can experience what
Gimborn has to offer.
So what are you all waiting for?
Please enjoy Gimborn soon and come back
and tell us all what it was like.
Sean Hannigan, Vice President
Participants at the Islam Seminar,
Gimborn May 2015
POLICE WORLD Vol 60 No. 3, 2015
Professional Development
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