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Leicestershire
Cadets
had a blast
in
Krefeld
Eight police cadets spent a weekend in Leicester’s German twin-town,
Krefeld, swapping their police berets for driver’s helmets as they took
part in the town’s annual go-cart race, the ‘Seifenkistenrennen’.
Over the weekend they were tasked with decorating their Leicestershire
Police themed soapbox ready for the race on Sunday, and also spent
a lot of time with Krefeld Police. Krefeld’s senior officer welcomed the
group to their HQ, where they were shown around the control room and
other departments. Next was a trip to the traffic unit where the cadets
learned about policing Germany’s roads. They tried on some uniform,
including bulletproof vests, and were given a demonstration of how the
force use police dogs to track suspects.
Volunteer Police Cadet Matthew Hares, aged16, said: “I’m so grateful to
have had this opportunity and would like to thank everyone who made
it possible. My favourite part was having the chance to interact with the
Krefeld police officers. They hosted a BBQ for us on Saturday night and
it was really interesting hearing about their experiences. I also had great
fun driving the Leicestershire Police soapbox on Sunday.”
The cadets were accompanied by cadet leaders PCSO Andrew Dunmore
and PC Jade Furniss. PC Furniss said: “
It was a thoroughly enjoyable
experience for everyone and I found it so interesting to see how policing
works in another country. My personal highlight was visiting the dog
section, and the cadets loved sitting on the force motorbikes and in the
cars. I feel proud to have represented Leicestershire Police with such a
brilliant group of police cadets and hope to visit Krefeld again someday.
”
PC Simon O’Connell organised the trip and said: “
As an active member
of the IPA it’s brilliant to help the Leicester
and Krefeld branches reconnect. It’s even
better that we can involve the police cadets
and I hope that they will help to maintain the
future relationship we hold with our German
twin-town. A fantastic time was had by all,
and I hope to be able to return to Krefeld
with more cadets in 2021
.”
Death Squads,
Robin Hood
and
International
Friendship
Tony Berrington,
Chairman,
Nottinghamshire Branch
In June this year we met Francisco
Badenes, an officer in the Federal Police in
Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. He took time
out from an IPA conference in Belgium to
visit the IPA HQ in Nottingham.
Francisco won the IPA World Prize in 2006 for
his work in connection with Brazil’s so-called
“death squads” and he has continued that
work to instil principals of honesty and integrity
in Brazil’s Police, where corruption is rife. Annie
and I took him on a tour of Nottingham, where
his first stop was to meet Robin Hood, and he
ended up in the stocks.
Francisco visited Section UK HQ, where Elke and Kerry showed him around.
Then he met former International Secretary General, Alan Carter and Kevan
Barrett, a 60 year IPA veteran who was visiting from Australia. Alan and
Kevan took Francisco to Stamford where he met Arthur Troops son, Kevin.
He received a signed copy of Arthur’s book
Service Through Friendship
, the
book that Kevin wrote about his father. They then visited the local church
where Francisco saw the memorial to IPA Founder Arthur Troop.
On Tuesday it was back into the capable hands of Tony and Annie
Berrington, who despite appalling weather, took Francisco to visit the Major
Oak in Sherwood Forest. Francisco is a lover of the great outdoors, regularly
paddling his canoe through the Amazonian
jungle. Sherwood’s trees are very different to
the Amazon, but he enjoyed the peace and
calm of our forest. That evening Francisco
went for one of England’s adopted dishes, a
Curry, with local members Graham and Jackie
Buxton. Francisco left Nottingham early the
next day, travelling back to Brazil via Portugal.
Tony apologised for the unseasonable weather
but Francisco’s gracious reply was “no other
country is as inspiring as the UK”.
Norfolk Broads
Caravan Rally
Steve Palmer
, Treasurer, No. 8 Region
Steve and Lynn Palmer organised their sixth IPA Broads Caravan Rally
in the beautiful Norfolk village of Ludham, which was attended by
30 members. The rally was held over a two week period with various
activities organised and plenty of time to relax.
Norfolk and Suffolk Branch organised a quiz in the village hall and served us
a splendid buffet. On the hottest day in British history, we hired picnic boats
for a day on The Broads. There is nothing better than relaxing at 4mph on
the tranquil waters of the Broads. Plentiful wildlife and picturesque scenery
made it an enjoyable day for all.
We also enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea, provided by Pat Ash and her
helpers. This was prepared in style with a proper china tea service.
Our final event was a very funny and entertaining performance at the End of
the Pier Show in Cromer.
We hope to be back in two years time, for our seventh event.
IPA News
21
POLICE WORLD
Vol 64 No.4, 2019