Police World Edition 2 2013

IPA News

Bill Gets in Touch with Bill in LA In late 2012 I holidayed in New Zealand. En route I had a 3 day stopover in Los Angeles, California. Last year, Bill Heard, a Los Angeles police department (LAPD) police officer posted in a previous edition of Police World that if any members were to head his way then they could contact him - so I did.

A Great Deal Offered in the Classroom Phil Morris, a member from Bolton branch, is a police trainer who has delivered human rights training courses for the last 10 years. Phil attended the Police and Human Rights Seminar at Gimborn which took place in September 2012. Phil said, “It seemed like the ideal place to get my first taste of what the Gimborn Centre could offer members. I certainly wasn’t disappointed with my week in Germany and found the whole experience rewarding in so many ways. I was impressed with the quality of material presented and look forward to using some of this knowledge I gained in my own working role.” Phil explained there was also a great deal to appreciate in the classroom with a wide range of speakers presenting on subjects linked to policing and human rights. What was particularly appreciated by all delegates was the fact that the speakers encouraged debate and group work within the classroom. Roger Gomm, a recently retired Metropolitan police officer with a strong background in public order policing, spoke on the way public order policing had responded to human rights law and also what rights officers had themselves in their working role. Roger looked particularly at the role of the police in policing demonstrations and the balance between necessary policing and the rights of the public in a democracy to protest. Other speakers included Andre Konze, head of Police Scientific Training at the German Police University in Münster Germany, who gave an interesting perspective of policing and human rights, and Vessela Gennova from Bulgaria, who looked at how human rights law may justify the use of force. The most thought provoking session, for Phil, was delivered by Peter Neyroud, a retired Chief Constable and Chief Executive Officer for the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA). Peter’s presentation looked at some of the ‘watersheds’ of policing professionalism throughout the years and examined how some of the ‘old’ policing approaches, that many of the students in the classroom had used, were clearly ineffective. Peter also looked at some of the myths of modern day policing and how science had become a key component for modern day policing. Another particular highlight for Phil was an evening trip to Cologne that included a guided tour of the city and an evening visit to an authentic ‘Brauhaus’ where local food and Cologne’s famous Kölsch beer was served. The evening also included a very interesting presentation by Ulrike Neuhoff from the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne. The University has a Police Services Faculty and Ulrike gave an overview of some of the daily human rights challenges faced by police officers and the training provided by the University to local officers. To find out more about Gimborn and the seminars on offer for 2013 visit: www.ipa-uk.org/Gimborn-About Download the Gimborn expense claim form at: www.ipa-uk.org /Study Good news for Hampshire Branch A change to the format of activities during 2012 has proved popular with members of Hampshire Branch. Regular branch ‘get-togethers’, in the form of pub lunches have resulted in a growing number of members attending – including some welcome members from a neighbouring branch. Another success story for Hampshire results from the majority of their members updating their membership records with email addresses. The branch has been able to email newsletters meaning a significant saving of £266 in postage over three newsletters. A raffle offset 67% of the branch’s hospitality costs.

Bill Heard with a RUC GC medallion that Bill gave to him as a memento of their meeting

Bill lives close to the Mojave desert. He made a 2 hour trip to my hotel to meet me. He and his delightful family then took me to a Mexican restaurant on the Santa Monica pier for a sumptuous meal. On the way there he showed me the police academy and other places of interest.

Bill Turner meets another LAPD officer

The friendship and courtesy afforded me were second to none and I wish to thank Bill and his family for a very

enjoyable time on this, my first trip stateside. Bill Turner , Northern Ireland Greater Belfast

Throat Cutting and Abdominal Mutilations Thames Valley North branch chose a gruesome wind down prior to their amalgamation with Thames Valley South branch by taking a trip on a London Ripper Walk. The group of 25 members was divided in two (no knives involved!) and shown the sites of the Ripper murders. Organisers John and Pauline Osborne also arranged a visit to the Ceremony of Keys at the Tower of London, followed by a meal at the Yeoman Warders Club. Meat pies were not on the menu!

Police World Vol 58 No.2 2013

23