police world Edition 3 2013

Article

Phillip Powell, 11 Region Chair, explains how the twinning between 11 Region and 3 Region Gothenburg has proved to be a successful initiative and has cemented firm friendships. Twinning is a Winning Combination

At Guildford Cathedral Phillip, Vivienne and May-Britt Rinaldo, June 2010

E arly in 2011 a survey of Section UK Secretaries established that 25 Regions/Branches and Interest Groups had either a twinning or a special arrangement with overseas members. 11 Region has been twinned with 3 Region Gothenburg in Sweden since 2009. The idea for 11 Region to twin was first suggested in 2008 by the late Roger Lincoln, former NEC member, who was living in Gothenburg at the time. It was progressed by the then President of 3 Region Gothenburg, May-Britt Rinaldo, and the then 11 Region Secretary, Edwin Sutton. The 2011 survey also revealed that certain benefits resulted from twinning initiatives. These benefits were quoted as: “Friendship and closer working practices; Friendships that continue on an individual basis; Friendships that can be deeper than family; Return visits year on year, building strong long lasting relationships; International travel; Insight into overseas policing issues; Ensures the Branch is truly international in its activities; an opportunity to learn about, and to tell others about, your own local cultures; Networking opportunities; Raises the profile of the IPA across the world and Another positive benefit to add to the list of ‘why join IPA’.” My wife, Vivienne Catherall-Powell and I, Edwin Sutton and his wife made the first visit to Gothenburg in March 2009 on behalf of 11 Region. We also attended Gothenburg’s Annual General Meeting where we met many of their members and were very well looked after. Clear evidence that Twinning provides opportunities for travel for the member. In return for our visit, in 2009, 11 Region organised for 10 members of 3 Region Gothenburg to stay at the Police Federation Headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey and to attend the 11 Region meeting. At the meeting our visitors gave a presentation about Gothenburg which was a great opportunity to share each other’s local culture. Again these reciprocal meetings and exchanges were a direct result of the Twinning initiative and as the relationship developed between 11 Region

and Gothenburg further events were organised. The following year, 11 Region hosted the UK IPA National Council Meeting (NCM) in June at the Felbridge Hotel in West Sussex, which coincided with

Swedish members visiting Mounted Police Branch, Imber Court, October 2009

the IPA’s 60th Anniversary. We were pleased to meet up again with friends from Gothenburg. They enjoyed the dedication ceremony held at Guildford Cathedral and attended the NCM. December 2011 saw a number of 11 Region members and partners visiting Gothenburg, as a full programme had been arranged - which included a trip on a police boat, a visit to the Volvo factory, to see the assembly line for police cars built there, and being hosted at a wonderful Christmas meal at the Liseberg Park Christmas Market. While I was there, I celebrated my birthday and was given presents by my 3 Region friends of moose and reindeer ornaments which I collect. More evidence of the kind of relationships that develop on many levels through Twinning. Twinning also really does have long term networking benefits as May-Britt Rinaldo, who has since become President of IPA Sweden, and her colleague Britt Hermansson made a visit to London in October 2012. Both attended the 11 Region Meeting held in Bromley and they invited 11 Region members to come to their next regional meeting in March 2013. Quite a coup for 11 region! Twinning also presents opportunities to study. Donna Powell, the 11 Region Publicity Officer and now Regional Vice Chair, Vivienne and I took up the invitation to attend a Gothenburg Regional Meeting. We enjoyed tours around the city and coastline of Gothenburg and attended the Regional Meeting at which May-Britt mentioned she would be giving a presentation at the seminar on ‘Women Strength in the Police’. Donna attended the seminar (see page 13 for her report) and accompanied May-Britt back to the UK where she stayed with 11 Region members. During her short stay, the Chair of Sussex branch, David Stamp, and his

wife Caryl, arranged a day out for May-Britt in Brighton as well as exploring the beautiful South East Coast. We look forward to many more visits between our two Regions and working towards a long lasting relationship that is beneficial to our members. Phillip Powell, Chair 11 Region IPA Advice on setting up a twinning arrangement Taken from the 2011 survey □ Establish a good relationship with intended twinning Branch first □ Set out clearly the defined advantages of the twinning □ Ensure there is sufficient interest by members in the agreement □ Ensure the twinning is viable in terms of visits – financially and logistically □ Make a visit to the twin location □ Find out what the twin hopes for □ Build on personal contacts to identify potential twins □ Identify twins that have some attraction/ reason for visit □ Look for a Region/Branch/interest group with common interests □ Get an IPA member on the committee of the local twinning group □ Attempt to home host as many members of the twinned branch as possible □ Plan and arrange hosts as early as possible □ Lose your inhibitions and have fun □ Be flexible and prepared to do the unexpected □ Don’t worry about language barriers □ Be considerate of diversity and cultural differences □ Give a gift

Police World Vol 58 No.3 2013

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