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IPA News

Thoughts on a World Congress David Moore , Cheshire Having been unable to attend the past three IPA world meetings, it was a privilege to attend the recent World Congress in Albena, Bulgaria. I arrived a couple of days early but even so was able to meet and be greeted by an old friend Olga Birkina the first evening. There is nothing more pleasing than to be greeted with open arms when entering a new hotel in a foreign land by old IPA friends and this is what I have encountered on many occasions over the past twenty five years attending such meetings The week was spent in the company of many old friends from many countries as far afield as Australia and New Zealand, Israel, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Norway, Sweden. Canada, Finland, Estonia, Germany, France, Belgium and so many others.

Being greeted as though it had only been yesterday instead of a few years. It was also an opportunity to meet new friends who were attending a World meeting for the first time and to talk about IPA and what it meant. To tell them to enjoy it, to talk to and make new friends and acquaintances. To share their company. The formal opening ceremony and the business meeting is important and to be enjoyed but nothing gives more pleasure than someone attending for the first time saying: “I didn’t realize how much IPA is; I’ll remember the people and experiences; I will certainly come again; The evening parties when everyone is celebrating and sharing friendship together.”

I have been lucky being able to attend so many world IPA meetings and to meet so many varied and wonderful friends from throughout the world. I wish I could share all the memories with you all but one thing I would suggest is that if you get a chance, attend one of these world meetings and experience the memories I have. You will never regret it. The next one – Rotterdam, Holland in September next year. Founder ’ s Day Unveiling At this year’s Founder’s Day gathering at IPA UK HQ a commemorative blue plaque was unveiled, by non-other than Kevin Troop, our founder’s son (centre in photo). The plaque marks the founding of the International Police Association by Arthur Troop on 1 January 1950. Full coverage of the day in our next edition…

Town twinning Clive Wood , Vice president responsible for the professional portfolio My branch Leicestershire is twinned with the city of Krefeld in Germany. Last year we managed to reignite our relations by taking a group of police cadets to take part in the annual soap box Derby. I’m sure you will recall the article in Police World . A similar group took part again recently and it was great to hear about the young people enjoying the opportunities the trip provided. At the invitation of the Lord Mayor in Krefeld a small group of town twinning and IPA members went over to help celebrate German reunification day. We had an excellent time. We were shown fantastic hospitality. The Lord Mayor made a big thing of our visit in his speech at the music event and we were invited to join him and other dignitaries including the assistant British consul at a drinks reception. The mayor also made arrangements for us to we shown around the Kaiser Wilhelm museum and a guided tour of Linn Castle. Some of us will be returning later in the month to help our IPA Krefeld branch friends celebrating their 60th anniversary. I am sure this will be another fantastic trip and one I will tell you about later. So finally I just think it is worth finding out if your branch has any arrangements for Twinning as if you do I’m sure you will have an excellent time.

POLICE WORLD Vol 63 No. 1, 2018

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