Police World Edition 1 2014

An Update from the NEC

Working on your behalf

In this edition of Police World we mention the work and dedication of Sergeant Joe Holness QPM, IPA member and, importantly, founder of the National Police Memorial Day. S unday 29 September 2013 marked the 10th National Police Memorial Day (NPMD), an annual event that honours police officers throughout United Kingdom who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The National Police Memorial Day charity was founded in 2004 by Joe. His vision and continued work, supported by his wife Sharon, ensures that fallen officers are not forgotten. The key event of each National Police Memorial Day is a service held on the nearest Sunday to 29 September, to coincide with St Michael’s Day - St Michael being the Patron Saint of Police Officers. The inaugural service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in 2004 and since that time it has circulated around each of the four countries of the United Kingdom. In 2013 it was the turn of Wales. As well as having charitable status, the National Police Memorial Day is recognised by the Government and Royalty as an official National Day and has the distinction of having the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was in attendance at the service held in St David’s Hall, Cardiff. Individual members of the IPA have supported the National Police Memorial Day and along with members of the NEC have represented IPA at many previous services. Recognising the place that the National Police Memorial Day Service has in the Police calendar and wanting to mark the special anniversary of the charity, the National Executive confirmed National Police Memorial Day as Section UK’s national charity in 2013. The increased profiling of the National Police Memorial Day throughout the year resulted in several fund raising initiatives by IPA members, and a large gathering of IPA members at the 2013 service. Joe kindly ensured that IPA Executive members were afforded a high profile over the memorial weekend. For example, IPA was highlighted over a two page spread in the official Order of Service. Furthermore VP Ronnie Dukes was invited to formally present an IPA commissioned artwork to Joe Holness at the eve of the service’s official reception at Cardiff Museum in front of an audience of the bereaved families, invited guests, senior police officers and other dignitaries. Ronnie made the most of the

opportunity to promote the virtues of IPA to the assembled audience, and was greatly assisted in that endeavour by Joe who was very complimentary of IPA in his response. National Treasurer Fred Boyd also took the opportunity to present a cheque on behalf of 2 Region, Northern Ireland, and wearing his other hat, a further cheque on behalf of the Harp & Crown Credit Union of Northern Ireland.

Tom and Pauline Crozier meet HRH Prince Charles

Taylor and Bill Lloyd, wasted no time completing the refurbishment. The car, known affectionately as Stan, had several outings during 2013, not least to the World Police and Fire Games in Belfast and the National Police Memorial Day. Stan is already raising funds through donations and merchandise sales, as well as increasing the profile of the charity in local, police and international media. In July 2013, the Motorcycle Group held a Charity Ball in York which had a performance from Mick Miller, Comedian. Guests of honour were Joe and Sharon who were delighted with the £500 raised. Terry Flint, a commercial artist, produced previously mentioned specially commissioned montage of National Police Memorial Day images that was presented to Joe. The painting was produced at the request of IPA and was presented to Joe. Terry has given permission to the National Police Memorial Day to reproduce the artwork which will be sold in aid of the charity. Stan will undoubtedly continue to raise both the profile of the event and funds for it in the lead up to his journey across US Route 50 in 2015. There is to be another charity ball organised by Section UK on 21 June 2013. Next year’s National Police Memorial Day will be held on Sunday 28 September 2014 in Belfast. We hope members will join in and support the National Police Memorial Day and our fundraising events throughout 2014.

Local branch and region members and partners joined with the NEC members and partners at both the eve of service reception and the service itself. Also in attendance were Sandy and Mary Morton from Scotland, who made a significant detour on their journey home from Southampton on the completion of a cruise to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. At the service IPA was accorded the further honour of having National President Tom Crozier and his wife Pauline seated along with invited guests from the UK National and Devolved Governments, the Police, HMIC and HRH The Prince of Wales. Tom commented: “Of course I was delighted to represent IPA Section UK and having the opportunity of being presented to HRH Prince Charles. I am also very proud of Section UK’s association with the National Police Memorial Day charity. The service of remembrance provides an opportunity for us to not just reflect on, but to reaffirm our shared commitment to our calling and the ties that bind across all Police services. These same sentiments are at the heart of what IPA stands for.” First to embark on fundraising during 2013 were members from 3 Region (Northern England), who announced they were to buy and transform a green 1968 Morris Minor into a vintage police car before taking it to several police related events and then across the USA on Route 50. The team, comprising Mark Faunt, Darren Edwards, Dave

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POLICE WORLD Vol 59 No. 1, 2014