Page 13 - police world Edition 3 2013

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In 2013, Members Karel Simpson and Donna Powell attended their first seminars at the
IPA study centre in Gimborn, Germany. Read about their experiences below.
During my 30 year membership of
the IPA, Gimborn has often been
advertised and spoken of with
reverence by other members who have
attended. As a member of the Special
Constabulary I never considered that I was
eligible to go. It was my perception that only
regular police officers qualified to attend.
Once I realised that Specials were eligible, I
kept a look out in Police World for the coming
year’s seminars being held at Gimborn. Last
year I found a seminar in the Gimborn
programme dealing with a subject close to my
personal observation on the future of policing
- which I believe would impact on the Special
Constabulary in the future.
The seminar I applied for dealt with the
subject ‘Social Unrest as a challenge for the
Police in Europe – ergonomic decline and
imperfect multicultural integration’.
This interested me as I wanted to discover
whether the UK has unique crime problems or
do other countries in Europe, that have been
experiencing similar crimes in recent years,
share the same causes. Troubles in the euro
zone and the impact that has had on its
population through financial hardship, where
previously honest law abiding individuals, who
have fallen on hard times, turn to crime as a
way out - is a possible cause - so I wanted dig
a little deeper into this subject. The other
topic of interest to me that the seminar dealt
with covered multicultural integration which
due to political or religious views over
hundreds of years is a problem that no one
seems to be able to solve.
Gimborn is ideally suited to broach such a
subject as people come from all over the
world to attend its seminars. In this instance
attendees came from a number of different
countries including: UK, Ireland, Pakistan,
Greece, Canada, America, Australia, Germany
and Bavaria.
During the seminar we had guest speakers,
both regular officers and civilians, from
countries which have experienced the issues
the seminar focused on - issues such as the
troubles in Northern Ireland, the riots in
London, the increase of criminals moving
across from the East of Europe. There was
even a suggestion that climate changes will
affect the movement of populations from
poor climates into Europe.
When we were broken up into groups it
became obvious that no matter where you
police in the world the same problems crop
up and it was good to share knowledge
and expertise.
The discussion between members attending
during the week was open and frank.
Dialogue continued after the day’s session
ended and adjourned into the bar until the
early hours.
Having attended this, my first seminar, at
Gimborn I found it enlightening talking to
people from different police cultures and
learning how they deal with the issues raised
during this seminar. Contacts were made and
a network of friendships started which may
last a lifetime.
Since my return, I have been
considering the implications of the
issues discussed during this seminar
and I now see where the Special
Constabulary is heading in the near
future.
Karel Simpson,
Durham and Cleveland Branch.
Article
Firsts at Gimborn
Police World Vol 58 No.3 2013
Karel Simpson with two otherGimborn attendees
A First
For Donna
Since I joined the IPA in 2009, I have
heard from fellow members over the following
years about their experiences of Gimborn
and was informed it was not just about the
studying but networking with police officers from
around the world - and that increased my interest.
So towards the end of 2012 I was on standby waiting
for the seminars that were going to be in English to be
announced.
Out of the eight English seminars for 2013 there was
one that immediately grabbed my interest - namely
‘Women Strength in the Police’ - which was going to
be held over the 11 - 15 March, 2013.
So at the end of November 2012 I completed my
application and was accepted onto the course a few
days later.
On arrival in Dusseldorf I met up with May-Britt
Rinaldo, President of Section Sweden, and Panayiotis
Sofokleous a member from Section Cyprus - we were
then transferred to Gimborn. I was very excited to
learn that I had a room in the castle for the duration
of my stay.
Part of the first day was spent learning about the
facilities at Gimborn and about each other - getting to
know everyone. During group work we discussed the
challenges, possibilities, obstacles and the future for
women within the police. It was interesting to hear
and note that the points raised by all groups were very
similar.
On the second day, May-Britt Rinaldo gave her
presentation and she shared with the attendees
some of her early policing experiences of being a
female police officer in a male dominated workforce.
We later examined patterns of communication of
women and men. We looked at strategies for
successful communication in a masculine working
environment in the form of theory as well as practical
exercises.
This is just a brief description of my first Gimborn
experience. For me I cannot believe I have left it so
long before attending. I got a lot out of this seminar
both on a professional and personal level. I can now
say that I plan to make an annual visit to Gimborn. For
anyone who has not been to Gimborn I urge you to
look at the seminars and experience this great place
for yourself. To anyone who has not been back for a
few years, what are you waiting for?
Donna Powell, Sussex branch
To read Donna’s article in full visit:
www.ipa-uk.org/news
Interested
in attending
Gimborn?
Visit:www.ipa
uk.org/Study