Page 12 - Police World Edition 2 2013
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Members of (IPA) Region 3 – Northern
England are motoring ahead with a fund
raising project involving a 1968 Morris
Minor with vintage police livery.
To raise funds for the National Police
Memorial Day (NPMD), Region 3 have
bought a Morris Minor, which will be re-
sprayed in iconic panda colours and
engineered to withstand an eye-catching
journey in 2015 along the length of US
Highway 50 – a distance of 3,070 miles.
Mark Faunt, an IPA member from
Scarborough branch, who came up with the
idea, is delighted with the response from
his Region. ‘I am grateful to the Region for
making the funds available to purchase the
car and to the many others who are offering
support. There’s a lot to do – from work on
the car to planning the journey and
logistics. Interest in the project is already
gaining momentum following press releases
and the launch of a special Facebook
page’.
The car will get its first outings in 2013
when it travels to the Region 3 AGM in
Darlington, further afield to IPA’s annual
conference in Torquay, the NPMD service
in Cardiff, and across the water to
Northern Ireland for the World Police and
Fire Games.
The NPMD is a Charity supported by
Royalty, Government and UK Police
services. The magnitude of the day is
indicated by His Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales becoming Patron in
2006. The service, which rotates around
each of the four countries, is held on the
nearest Sunday to 29 September. This
coincides with Saint Michael's day - The
patron Saint of Police officers. The IPA
has chosen the NPMD as its charity for
2013.
Article
12
Police World
Vol 58 No.2 2013
James Szkiler, Sales Director of Classic and Sportscar Centre,
with Mark Faunt and Dave Taylor, after purchasing the car
Section UK
Charity for
2013
No Minor Challenge
Bruce Bennett, from Fife branch, was invited to represent Section UK
in a police exchange placement programme with Section Poland.
Bruce tells his story.
I
t was just a normal day in early November,
I was sat at home ready to go to work for a
backshift when I received a telephone call
from Sgt Kelly McEwan asking if I would be
interested In going to Poland for 10 days. I soon
made contact with Pawel Grygiel, who would be
my point of contact in Poland, and he sent me a
copy of the intended itinerary. After
conversations with Section UK President, Tom
Crozier, and my Detective Chief Inspector, Ross
Bennett, my flights were booked and the clock
was ticking.
On arrival in Krakow I was met by Pawel and
Maciej Gorski and off we set to Nowy Sacz which
was located some 1.5 hours away in to the hills.
The next morning Pawel came to the hotel to
pick me up and I was taken to the police
headquarters of Nowy Sacz which is a new state
of the art building and included an indoor firing
range and underground car parking facilities. I
was introduced to the Commandant and had
some photos taken before being asked to
accompany him to a morning meeting with his
management team including all heads of
departments and ranking officers of section
stations.
I was asked to say a few words about Fife
Constabulary, which I did, including what
personal protective equipment UK police officers
wear to carry out their daily duties.
During my stay in Poland I worked with the crime
team, the criminal police, the anti-drugs special
unit, the Road Traffic department and had a tour
around the CSI department. I was also given the
opportunity to use the indoor firing range and to
fire the standard issue pistol the polish police
use.
During down time I attended an IPA Regional ten
pin bowling competition, where my team came
third and I won the highest score prize. I was
also lucky enough to meet Pawel’s family and go
sightseeing, which included visiting many
beautiful villages such as Krynica which was
located in the Jaworzyna mountain range near to
the Slovak Republic border.
During my stay in Krynica I had a meeting with
the local Mayor, the local fire chief and the chief
of the local mountain rescue. I worked with
community police officers who made sure I was
familiarised with the area which included going
down a mountain on a toboggan!
Prior to returning home I had the opportunity to
have a brief look around Krakow before
catching my plane the following morning.
Words alone cannot describe how beautiful
Krakow is, especially the main square which
is steeped in history.
In addition to the cultural experience of visiting
Poland for the first time I was most struck by
how friendly everybody was. It would be remiss
of me not to also mention the great food, drink,
entertainment and hospitality which was
provided.
In the tradition of IPA events I have attended I
returned home having made new good friends, I
will certainly be staying in touch with them and
have already been in contact via email.
I hope this article will encourage serving
members of the IPA to take part in any
placement programme. This experience is now a
part of my life that I will never forget and I will
always have fond memories of my special time
in Poland. I really cannot thank all of my new
found friends over the water enough for their
hospitality and kindness during my stay.
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett (above left) meets a polish
officer and takes in the sights (above)
To see more photos from this event
visit:
Polish Placement
