Police World Edition 2 2013

An Update from the NEC

Working on your behalf National President, Tom Crozier, takes the opportunity to update members on National Strategy prior to the National Council meeting at Torquay in May. S tructure: this has been on our national agenda for more than four years. From the earliest time

Mick Luke has been tasked with producing a framework strategy that for the first time will embrace issues around both recruitment and retention. Ronnie Dukes has been allocated responsibility for our Webshop and income generation. The day to day management and oversight of our staff has been streamlined and is now the sole responsibilty of Dave Taylor . Fred Boyd will continue to be responsible for managing our finances that will include responsibility for identifying cost reductions. In brief these changes all feed into our overarching strategy of securing the future of this association through improved communication with members, financial security and sustaining and growing our membership. Recruitment and Retention The succesess of the Publicity Officers who have been recruited so far has been notable. Regions and Branches that have Publicity Officers have achieved the best results in terms of recruitment, and in particular the enrolment of serving officers. While the numbers are growing there are a considerable number of branches that have not yet appointed a Publicity Officer. I would ask every branch to reflect on the success of those already in position and encourage you to identify and appoint publicity officers where practical. Another success story is our promotion of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) . Three years ago we had one SIG; the Caravan & Camping Group. We now boast an additional four groups: the Motor Cycle Group , the Triathlon Group , Defensive Tactics Group and the Bowling Group . The Motor Cycle Group is now well established with close to 100 members, while the Defensive Tactics Group that only formed in December has a membership of 30 or so. There is clearly the potential for any number of SIGs given the varied interests across our membership. SIGs have the potential to both attract new members and to cement their

relationship with IPA, committing them to the Association. Any member who may want to set up a group will be given both practical and, where appropriate, financial support to assist their endeavours. Simply contact BSAC who will provide further information. Other areas that the NEC are promoting with some success include: Enhancing the reputation of Section UK across the wider association To that end UK will: ● Host a meeting of the International Internal Commission in May 2013. ● Host members of the PEB at the World Police & Fire Games at Belfast in August 2013. ● Host the International House Managers’ Conference in 2016. Furthermore the NEC has nominated Region and Branch members from 1 and 8 Regions to represent Section UK at two separate events in Poland during 2012 and will support a member from 4 Region who is attending the International Young Officers Conference in Australia during 2013. We will continue to seek opportunities to allow members to represent the Section at international events. Professional Exchanges: The NEC recently changed its policy on professional exchanges. Up to this point our position has been that we are not a professional body, therefore could not support or facilitate professional exchanges. What the NEC has now decided is that we will support applications for professional exchanges, utilising our wide network of professional contacts in UK and abroad. We are in the process of formalising agreements with Sections Poland and Germany, and hope to be able to offer exchange opportunities in the not too distant future. As I have said before our greatest asset is our members, and your NEC will listen and take heed to what you have to say. Should there be anything that you want to contribute to the discussions around the direction we are taking please do not hesitate to contact me. Tom Crozier , President

feedback from elected Branch and Region committees generally reflected the view that a review was neither necessary nor desirable. However the assessment was that it was beneficial to keep this on our agenda given the structural changes affecting police forces across the UK. More than that however there were a variety of suggestions coming from ordinary members that recommended or supported changes to Region and Branch structure. The concerns from ordinary members ranged from the lack of communication with or support for branches to the unwieldy geographic make up of some Regions. At the meeting of Region Chairs at the NCM at Cardiff I anonimised and circulated the suggestions received. Once again feedback from the Chairs reflected the view that the structure did not need to be radically altered, and that change ought to be evolutionary rather than forced through against the collective will. Structure was again discussed at the recent meeting of the Region Secretaries who unanimously agreed with that position. Changes will inevitably come about through the evolutionary process, e.g. the recent merger of the two Thames Valley branches that were up to that point in different Regions! Given the consistent view expressed by elected members I intend that the delegates at the forthcoming NCM should decide if this topic is to be set aside for now. Roles & Responsibilites: The NEC allocated responsibilities reflect the International Commission structure: i.e. Internal (Rules), External, Professional, Cultural and Finance. Over and above the general headings there are a number of other areas that NEC members have responsibility for. The last few months has seen the following changes to NEC responsibilities. Mark Kernohan now has responsibilty for Communications including oversight of Police World and the Website.

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Police World Vol 58 No.2 2013