Members of (IPA) Region 3 – NorthernEngland are motoring ahead with a fundraising project involving a 1968 MorrisMinor with vintage police livery.To raise funds for the National PoliceMemorial Day (NPMD), Region 3 havebought a Morris Minor, which will be re-sprayed in iconic panda colours andengineered to withstand an eye-catchingjourney in 2015 along the length of USHighway 50 – a distance of 3,070 miles.Mark Faunt, an IPA member fromScarborough branch, who came up with theidea, is delighted with the response fromhis Region. ‘I am grateful to the Region formaking the funds available to purchase thecar and to the many others who are offeringsupport. There’s a lot to do – from work onthe car to planning the journey andlogistics. Interest in the project is alreadygaining momentum following press releases

and the launch of a special Facebookpage’.The car will get its first outings in 2013when it travels to the Region 3 AGM inDarlington, further afield to IPA’s annualconference in Torquay, the NPMD servicein Cardiff, and across the water toNorthern Ireland for the World Police andFire Games.The NPMD is a Charity supported byRoyalty, Government and UK Policeservices. The magnitude of the day isindicated by His Royal Highness thePrince of Wales becoming Patron in2006. The service, which rotates aroundeach of the four countries, is held on thenearest Sunday to 29 September. Thiscoincides with Saint Michael's day - Thepatron Saint of Police officers. The IPAhas chosen the NPMD as its charity for2013.

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12 Police World Vol 58 No.2 2013James Szkiler, Sales Director of Classic and Sportscar Centre,with Mark Faunt and Dave Taylor, after purchasing the car

Section UKCharity for2013No Minor Challenge

Bruce Bennett, from Fife branch, was invited to represent Section UKin a police exchange placement programme with Section Poland.Bruce tells his story.

I t was just a normal day in early November,I was sat at home ready to go to work for abackshift when I received a telephone call

from Sgt Kelly McEwan asking if I would beinterested In going to Poland for 10 days. I soonmade contact with Pawel Grygiel, who would bemy point of contact in Poland, and he sent me acopy of the intended itinerary. Afterconversations with Section UK President, TomCrozier, and my Detective Chief Inspector, RossBennett, my flights were booked and the clockwas ticking.On arrival in Krakow I was met by Pawel andMaciej Gorski and off we set to Nowy Sacz whichwas located some 1.5 hours away in to the hills.The next morning Pawel came to the hotel topick me up and I was taken to the policeheadquarters of Nowy Sacz which is a new stateof the art building and included an indoor firingrange and underground car parking facilities. Iwas introduced to the Commandant and hadsome photos taken before being asked toaccompany him to a morning meeting with hismanagement team including all heads ofdepartments and ranking officers of sectionstations.I was asked to say a few words about FifeConstabulary, which I did, including whatpersonal protective equipment UK police officers

wear to carry out their daily duties. During my stay in Poland I worked with the crimeteam, the criminal police, the anti-drugs specialunit, the Road Traffic department and had a touraround the CSI department. I was also given theopportunity to use the indoor firing range and tofire the standard issue pistol the polish policeuse. During down time I attended an IPA Regional tenpin bowling competition, where my team camethird and I won the highest score prize. I wasalso lucky enough to meet Pawel’s family and gosightseeing, which included visiting manybeautiful villages such as Krynica which waslocated in the Jaworzyna mountain range near tothe Slovak Republic border. During my stay in Krynica I had a meeting withthe local Mayor, the local fire chief and the chiefof the local mountain rescue. I worked withcommunity police officers who made sure I wasfamiliarised with the area which included goingdown a mountain on a toboggan! Prior to returning home I had the opportunity tohave a brief look around Krakow beforecatching my plane the following morning.Words alone cannot describe how beautifulKrakow is, especially the main square which is steeped in history.

In addition to the cultural experience of visitingPoland for the first time I was most struck byhow friendly everybody was. It would be remissof me not to also mention the great food, drink,entertainment and hospitality which wasprovided. In the tradition of IPA events I have attended Ireturned home having made new good friends, Iwill certainly be staying in touch with them andhave already been in contact via email.I hope this article will encourage servingmembers of the IPA to take part in anyplacement programme. This experience is now apart of my life that I will never forget and I willalways have fond memories of my special timein Poland. I really cannot thank all of my newfound friends over the water enough for theirhospitality and kindness during my stay.Bruce Bennett

Bruce Bennett (above left) meets a polishofficer and takes in the sights (above)

To see more photos from this eventvisit: www.ipa-uk.org/Gallery-2013

Polish Placement