NARPON - LIFE: Police Treatment Centres Re-open
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NARPO
MAY 2021 | ISSUE 106
NEWS
THE MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS
LIFE: WORK: LEISURE:
Police Treatment Centres Re-open National Volunteers Week Staycation Swaps
www.narpo.org 1
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inside
MAY 2021 | ISSUE 106
ON THE
LIFE after the Police WORK after the Police LEISURE after the Police
Welcome note
Welcome to the May
edition of NARPO News.
Spring is here and it feels like we
are cautiously moving towards some
normality. This is a bumper issue which
we hope reflects the more positive
mood of the country. There’s lots to
46
talk about with a number of stories
and updates from across the branch
network, our National Executive
Committee and our partners, as well
as new ideas and some UK getaway 24
suggestions now we can start thinking
about holidays again.
We are also very excited to present
the shortlist for the NARPO 2021
Photography Competition, and open
voting up to you our members to pick
a winner. The standard of entries
was unbelievably high, and we are
40
delighted with the response so far.
05 President’s Review 38 Mental Health
Opinions expressed by authors and services 06 The Chief’s Briefs Awareness Week
offered by advertisers are not specifically
endorsed by the Association. 08 Readers Letters 40 5 Staycation Swaps
The Editor reserves the right to refuse or
withdraw advertisements at his discretion and 14 News 42 Summer Gardening Guide
does not accept liability for clerical or printer’s
errors, although every care is taken to avoid 20 Updates from our National 44 What’s Cooking
mistakes. Advertisements in NARPOnews are
accepted by the National Association of Retired Executive Committee 46 Overcoming Adversity
Police Officers only on the understanding that the
advertisers warrant that the advertisements do 23 You wouldn’t Believe It 49 Police History Society
not contravene the Trade Description Act 1968,
the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Business
24 2021 NARPO Photography 50 Holiday Lettings 2021
Advertisements (Disclosure) Order of 1997 Competition 55 Your Legal Rights
and conform to the British Code of Advertising
Practice. 28 Westminster Round-up 56 How to podcast
Articles contributed by the editorial staff may
not be reproduced without permission in writing 30 Benefits Update 59 Computer know how
from The Editor.
NARPO News is published by The National 33 Just who are Metfriendly 61 Time Out
Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO).
NARPO News is delivered to you as part 35 Police Family 62 Book’em!
of a package of NARPO membership benefits,
including goods and services we offer when you 37 The Third Sector
join and continue to be a Member. How we do
this, and process your personal information, is
contained in our Privacy Policy, which is available
at www.narpo.org. You can also request a hard
copy from NARPO HQ.
For further information about NARPO, its
Mailing info
services, branches and approved advertisers, It is important that you notify NARPO HQ of any changes to your
please visit our website at www.narpo.org address as soon as possible. Please quote your membership number
To facilitate a prompt reply when contacting which is printed above your name on the envelope in which NARPO
the office by email, please quote your News is delivered. Please telephone 01924 362 166
membership number.
NARPO House, 38 Bond Street, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 2QP
Designed & Produced by © Wilson Design House 2021.
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NARPONews - GARDENING
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4 www.narpo.org
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NARPONews - PRESIDENT’S REVIEW
So, over a year now of missed or virtually
held meetings, but spring is finally here and
things are looking more positive yet again.
President’s Review
It was election time in my own region earlier on please say take care and stay safe.
this year and this was done electronically. We now As I sign off, I also want to comment on the death
have a new Regional Chairman at Cambridge after of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Like many of
Lawrence Wright decided not to stand again. Many you when I heard the news I was shocked to hear
of you will know Lawrence as being my Regional about his death, but when you think of his recent
NEC colleague for many years, and I take this ill health I should not have been. I only met him at
opportunity to thank him for all the work he has done one event, but he was a constant through many of
for NARPO and the International Police Association our lives. I do not intend to go through all his history
over many years. I wish him and his wife Sue all the which was one of support, service, innovation and A copy of the
best for the future. leadership, but I do want to mention I thought it letter I sent
Unfortunately, we are all still in the same boat important to send a letter of condolences to her to Her Majesty
in terms cancelling social and welfare events that Majesty The Queen and to our former Patron, The The Queen is
we would like to provide for members but as the Princess Royal, KG,KT,GCVO. shown below.
vaccination programme rolls on and things start to
open up this will hopefully change.
As some of you may or may not know, I am NARPO HOUSE
38 Bond St,
the Association’s representative on the Age Sector Wakefield,
West Yorkshire,
working group. This is a group of similar retiree WF1 2QP
member organisations who meet along with Tel: 01924 362166
Email: hq@narpo.org
national charity Age UK to see with what and how
Her Majesty The Queen
we can progress issues of benefit to members
Buckingham Palace
and older persons in this country as a whole. The
London
last meeting was early March 2021 when Caroline
SW1A 1AA
Abrahams, Charity Director, opened the meeting
by giving details of their recent campaigning and
13 April 2021
influencing work, which included working with the
NHS to ensure housebound people could access
their vaccination, in addition to the want to improve
Madam,
care home visiting and social care and its funding.
The current perception in the wake of the pandemic
On behalf of the National Association of Retired Police Officers I extend our deepest
is causing people not to take up care home places
condolences on the death of your beloved husband and consort, Prince Philip, Duke
which means that some homes are having to close.
of Edinburgh.
They are pushing for greater help to cover the
additional costs created by this.
Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with you and your family at this sad time.
Another point of discussion was ageism and the
recent debate about older persons subject to blanket
I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty’s humble and obedient servant.
do-not-resuscitate orders. The group plan to come
back with plans on how to more proactively tackle
this and the other issues discussed.
Our work with Connect, the Civil Service
Pensioners Alliance and National Federation
Brian Burdus
of Occupational Pensioners, continues to bring
President
together the collective voices of over a quarter of a
million pensioners to seek fair treatment in pensions, www.narpo.org
care services, transport and on our ambitions for the @NARPOHQ
/NARPOUK
future.
And as we move out of strict lockdown can I
LIFE WORK LEISURE
www.narpo.org 5
NARPONews - CHIEF’S BRIEFS
A very warm welcome to the Spring edition,
and hopefully we will not only see a rise in
the temperature, but a gradual relaxing of the
restrictions we have all been under because
of COVID-19.
The Chief’s Briefs
As you may know the NEC have the Home Secretary’s annual report to concerned about their mental health and
decided to go ahead with our Conference Parliament. wellbeing.
in Llandudno on the 10th September, in The Police Covenant itself will take • 94% of respondents agreed that the
line with the Government road map and I the form of a declaration and will not police service, nationally and locally,
truly hope to see some of you there and be set out in legislation. Initial priorities should have a duty to provide mental
share a few lockdown tales with you and for the Covenant identified through the health and wellbeing support for retired
who knows maybe even a drink in a pub! consultation will be health and wellbeing, police officers as well as those serving.
physical protection, and support for • 46% of respondents said they had
families, and each of these key issues sought mental health and wellbeing
Police Covenant will be addressed in the Police Covenant support since retiring from the police.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Report. The Covenant is expected to • 95% of respondents said they were
Courts Bill which establishes a Police be an evolving concept that will change not aware of any mental health and
Covenant is now at the Committee over time as new and emerging issues wellbeing support available which is
stage. The scope of the Covenant will and priorities are identified. Particularly specifically targeted at retired members
include all those working within, or retired important to NARPO and our members of the police.
from, policing roles, whether paid or as is the continued availability of treatment • 37% of respondents said they had
a volunteer. This Bill introduces a duty for those who have suffered either experienced PTSD or a mental health
on the Home Secretary to prepare and psychologically or physically as a result condition, such as depression or anxiety.
lay before Parliament an annual Police of their Police service. It is not right that • 53% of respondents said being a
Covenant Report. Enshrining the Police a Force can just leave retired officers member of the police had negatively
Covenant Report in law will ensure by the wayside and ignore them when affected their mental health and
accountability and action. Integral to they encounter health and wellbeing wellbeing.
this will be a strong and robust non- problems as a result of police service. • 75% of respondents said that they had
statutory governance structure. A Police To emphasise our concerns, we have not received any training to help support
Covenant Oversight Board, chaired by recently conducted a NARPO Wellbeing their own and/or their colleagues’ mental
the Minister for Crime and Policing will be Survey to which we’ve had 2,549 health and wellbeing when they were
established, and will include key policing responses which is a fantastic response. serving in the police. Of those that were
representatives. The Board will develop The key points emerging from the offered mental health and wellbeing
a defined programme of activity and survey are: training, 64% of respondents said
the work of this group will help to inform • 32% of respondents said they were attendance was voluntary.
• 56% of respondents said their local
force never encouraged staff to talk
75% of respondents said that they had openly about their mental health.
These results are a stark example of
not received any training to help support the lack of health and wellbeing support,
not just for those who have retired but for
their own and/or their colleagues’ mental our serving colleagues, and we will be
using these results amongst other things
health and wellbeing when they were to try and influence the debate
around the Police Covenant.
serving in the police.
6 www.narpo.org
NARPONews - CHIEF’S BRIEFS
Pension Tapering As rumoured, the Chancellor did
Challenge announce that the pensions lifetime
The Government has announced
the proposed remedy to address the
allowance (LTA) the total amount you can
age discrimination contained in the
2015 Public Service Pension Schemes
save into your private pension without
transitional arrangements.
Whilst we generally welcome the
incurring an extra tax charge, will be
Government’s decision to implement frozen at £1,073,100 until April 2026.
the Deferred Choice Underpin option,
and are pleased that as a result retired
member of schemes will be given the
same choice as those still serving, the incurring an extra tax charge, will be online very similar to last year’s excellent
response indicates that retired officers frozen at £1,073,100 until April 2026. online event. Once further information
will not be able to make that choice until 3. Income tax thresholds frozen - is known we will circulate to Branches
Legislation is introduced and that choice The Chancellor announced the income or you can visit their website at www.
will be delayed up to October 2023. tax personal allowance, and the higher nationpolicememorialday.org for any
This in our view is unacceptable; it rate threshold will be uprated in line with recent updates.
means that retired members will have the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) as
planned in April 2021 and then remain
to wait over two years and live on a
pension that is lower than it should frozen at this level until April 2026. NARPO Emails
4. Stamp duty holiday extended - If you receive emails from NARPO
now be because of the discrimination
The Chancellor confirmed an extension and your NARPO Branch and do not
already identified. We have written to
until 30 June instead of the initial end want to receive them anymore, please
HM Treasury expressing our views on
date of 31 March. do not mark them as Spam as this over
this and you can see the full letter in the
5. Health and Social Care - There time will prevent us being able to send
News section on our website.
was no immediate or longer-term support any emails to the relevant servers and
for social care announced at this Budget, will mean that other members using the
March Budget and which may come as a surprise given the same email server will also no longer
receive emails from us.
attention that care homes have received
Older People over the last year, with more than 40,000 If you do not want to receive our
It is welcome news that the Office care residents tragically dying because of emails, please click the Unsubscribe
for Budget Responsibility estimates that the virus. The Budget also didn’t include button at the very bottom of the email.
the economy will recover faster than any detailed plans for the NHS other than This will amend your record so that you
anticipated from the economic crisis £1.65 billion for the vaccine rollout. no longer receive emails from NARPO or
created by COVID-19 and whilst the UK’s your Branch.
vaccination programmes is promising, Please note this will also remove you
it’s clear that the economic impact of the National Police from our list of members who receive an
electronic copy of the Branch Newsletter.
pandemic will take years to recover. Key
points for older people are: Memorial Day If you appear to have stopped
1. The triple lock is protected - This This will take place on Sunday 26th receiving emails and have not
means the State Pension will rise by September 2021 in Lincoln Cathedral. unsubscribed, please contact your email
2.5% in the 2021-22 tax year. The Trustees have taken the initial provider, and ask them to whitelist (for
2. Pensions lifetime allowance decision that attendance numbers will approved senders) @narpo.org this will
frozen - As rumoured, the Chancellor be limited having considered COVID-19 help get our emails messages through to
did announce that the pensions lifetime restrictions and the likelihood of some your email inbox.
allowance (LTA) the total amount you can restrictions still being in place. Despite That’s all from me folks, off now to
save into your private pension without that the service will be available to view enjoy some sunshine – I hope! n
www.narpo.org 7
NARPONews - LETTERS
Readers Letters
The Virtual Museum Of Police in Wales National Memorial
My name is Ross Mather. I am retired Arboretum
from the South Wales Police (NARPO
Membership no. 82223 - Glamorgan I saw a letter in the February
Branch). I recently appeared in an article 2021 magazine mentioning a lack of
that was published in the February involvement by NARPO at the National
2021 magazine, relating to part of a Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas.
helmet plate which was discovered in a I am a retired officer and lost my husband
ploughed field in Pembrokeshire. in the line of duty, as such I am also a
As well as a being a retired 30 year regular visitor to the Arboretum and a
operational police officer, for three years beneficiary of the national charity Care of
I was the Custodian / Curator of the Police Survivors and attend their annual
South Wales Police Museum in Bridgend. memorial service for fallen officers.
For just over 50 years, I have dedicated Although NARPO doesn’t have an
myself to collecting and preserving individual monument at the NMA I
British police memorabilia and especially am aware that you are represented
that relating to the former police forces several times along ‘The Beat’ by way
of Wales. That said, I collect any of memorial plaques. I have attached
historical police items deemed worthy of some photos below in the hope that they
preservation. can be used to dispel beliefs that you
Should NARPO members wish to have no involvement or representation.
view memorabilia from the collection, it I feel it’s important to have a balance of
can be seen on Facebook. Called 'The perspective!
Virtual Museum Of Police in Wales', it's and coloured by hand. Made to I find visiting the NMA comforting
a site that shows many items of police commemorate the promotion in 1904 whilst also enjoying a lovely walk through
memorabilia, along with interesting police of John Hodgkinson from Inspector the grounds, particularly walking along
related stories. The site is added to on a at Rowley Regis (Birmingham) to The Beat and seeing all the memorial
daily basis. Superintendent (Stone, Staffs.) At the plaques, trees and benches dedicated to
Recently acquired is a rare item time, as an expression of appreciation, fallen officers. Entrance is free although
which may be of interest to NARPO he was also presented with a purse there is a parking fee which at £4 per car
members who live or worked in and of gold (most probably a quantity of is reasonable.
around the areas of the West Midlands Sovereigns). It may be useful for readers to know
and Staffordshire. It is an 'Illuminated It will be protected by fitting it into that the grounds remain open during
Address'. Any surviving 'Illuminated a glazed frame. In the collection are the current restrictions for exercise but
Address' to a policeman is indeed rare, a further five (Welsh) Victorian and advance booking is required via their
and worthy of preservation for posterity. Edwardian period Illuminated Addresses. website. And they are still providing take-
Measuring a large 20 inches x 15 away drinks and snacks for visitors.
inches, it was professionally crafted Ross Mather - Glamorgan Branch
Denise Dobson - Birmingham Branch
Widows Pension Entitlement
Frank McKenna
Through a Facebook group for retired be brought up to date this is being done.
officers, we were prompted to check with Whilst I am sure a widow(er) would I noticed a letter ‘A Detective versus
our pensions administrator that member eventually receive their entitlement, the Gestapo’ in the February issue.
pension records were accurate. We are making sure the records are accurate Frank McKenna is buried in Leyton
fortunate in that our Administrator has a now will save a great deal of heartache Cemetery, Blackpool and this last year
portal whereby individuals can register and anguish at a most difficult time. a floral tribute was laid by the Blackpool
and view their pension records. It also My advice - check your records now branch of NARPO. The ceremony
shows what a widow(er)’s entitlement whilst you are able. was attended by NARPO members
would be. I and many others found that A bonus was realising that the 50% and serving officers. I have a route
the widow’s entitlement was zero. widow’s entitlement is calculated before description for anyone who would like to
The administrator has a duty to make commutation making it nearly two thirds visit the grave. It is difficult to find. Please
sure their records are accurate so to help of the officer’s pension. contact me on allan63ch@gmail.com and
them do that it took only a phone call or I will forward the details to you.
email to highlight the error. Whilst it took Peter Sloan - Bolton Branch Secretary
many weeks for the individual records to Allan Spencer - Blackpool Branch
8 www.narpo.org
NARPONews - LETTERS
Aortic Aneurysm Dunblane
Within the last couple of days, I and continue to live your life just as The article in the recent edition of
received my NARPO magazine, the first you are now but try not to become NARPO news regarding a Cumbria
of 2021. In amongst the readers’ letters overweight. member paying tribute to the Lockerbie
was one from Mick Brookfield, the chair The years passed and my checks bombing victims has prompted me to write
of the Sheffield Branch of NARPO. continued. During another check another to you.
My father died suddenly a few weeks aneurysm was found in my left groin, still On 13th March 1996 Thomas
short of his 65th birthday in January nothing to worry about. Then one behind Hamilton walked into Dunblane Primary
1984. To all intents and purposes, he my right knee. By now I was having ultra- School and shot dead sixteen children
was in good health. Everyone who knew sound scans ever six months, so I realised and their teacher, Gwen Mayor. It was
him couldn’t believe he had died as he that things were starting to go downhill. the deadliest mass shooting in
seemed very fit and walked everywhere. We were now into 2020 and another British history.
He was 6ft tall and not overweight. My check-up revealed one in my aorta. This Around 1950 my father was a Police
mother was devastated and never got discovery caused me to have a sharp Officer in the Lancashire Constabulary
over his sudden death. Obviously, there intake of breath. The powers that be then stationed at Bury. We lived in a police
was a post-mortem to try and discover sent me for an MRI scan. Within a couple house situated in a small colony. Our
the cause of his sudden death. It of weeks I received a letter from the next-door neighbour was Ken Hodson a
revealed that he had an aortic aneurysm specialist I had met all those years ago. fellow officer also stationed at Bury.
which had split the main artery from My wife and I went to the Southampton He lived there with his wife Edna, who
his heart to his lower body. His doctor General Hospital where he told us that the had been a clerk at the Lancashire Police
explained to us what had happened and aneurysm in my right groin had deteriorated HQ at Preston, and his two children Joan
there were probably another dozen men and a replacement was needed. and Gwen.
walking around in Winchester with the By now it was November 2020 and I stayed in touch with Ken and Edna
same condition and none of them know Covid was in full swing. The surgeon and learnt that both their daughters had
that they had it. Walking time bombs was thought that it was most likely my married, that Gwen’s married name
the expression he used. operation wouldn’t be until February/ was Mayor and she had become a
As a direct result of post-mortem March depending on how bad things schoolteacher. Sadly, Gwen was the
findings my brother and I were advised were in Southampton Hospital. However, schoolteacher shot at Dunblane.
to have cardiovascular checks. We I was put on a short notice/cancellation Last year, in between lockdowns,
were both the same build as our father. list not expecting to hear anything for my wife Patricia and I decided to retrace
I started these check-ups about 1990 at least a couple of months. Totally out our 1967 honeymoon trip to Scotland.
having ultrasound scans every couple of the blue I received a call asking if I We made a point of visiting and staying
of years. No trace of any problems was could come in for my operation in a few overnight in Dunblane. I wanted to pay my
found, but I kept being recalled for an days’ time as there was a space in the respects to my childhood friend Gwen.
ultrasound every year. surgeon’s operating schedule. We visited Dunblane cemetery to view
In 2005 my regular check-up scan On 26th November 2020 my wife the very impressive monument to all the
revealed that I had an aneurysm in my dropped me at the front door of the 17 victims along all their individual graves.
right groin. Nothing for me to worry about hospital and by 6pm the same day my It was a sad but very poignant visit but I
as I would still be checked every year. operation had been done. It had taken was glad that we had made the trip.
My first question to the specialist just over 4 hours.
that I saw was, ‘Do I need to change I would urge everyone to have the Fred Carlisle - Merseyside Branch
my lifestyle/diet in any way to help my health check offered by the NHS, it could
‘condition’? His answer was no, this is save their life.
a genetic thing and there was nothing I
could do about it. Keep eating sensibly John Hinxman - Hampshire Branch
Support in these difficult times
I just wanted to flag up an instance funeral, and NARPO would have provided impressed that trouble had been taken to
where the police family came together the drape and attended also to honour respect his memory.
giving much needed support at a difficult him. As the funeral was 30th December It is a lovely instance of everyone,
time. in North Wales this was impossible, and including family; two NARPO members;
One of our older members, who we could not chance posting the drape in funeral directors and North Wales Police,
retired to live in North Wales, passed the Christmas post. We liaised with the all working together at a difficult time,
away just prior to Christmas. He was very family and contacted an ex-colleague, a and I would like to thank all concerned
well thought of in the job and received a NARPO Welfare Officer in North Wales, for their part in it. It just goes to prove
bravery award whilst serving. As an ex- to see what assistance they could give. that although we may doubt it, the Police
serviceman, he worked for SSAFA in his Amazingly, after liaising with the North Family is still present.
retirement and received an award from Wales Police, a uniformed officer was
them also. despatched to the funeral, and the Sandie Wilde - Chair,
In normal circumstances several officer even led the cortege. As you can Manchester Branch
ex-colleagues would have attended his imagine the family were both pleased and
www.narpo.org 9
NARPONews - LETTERS
Adoption
It is always interesting to read letters I eventually traced my older brother live in the Midlands (my father was
like Stephen Carter’s in the February (since deceased), who asked me for my deceased). I only spoke to one brother, and
edition of NARPO, regarding tracing long birth name and the name of my mother, we had several weeks of good telephone
lost family and subsequent reunions. whereupon he immediately told me that conversations and exchange of information.
I was an adopted ‘war baby’. My he had always known of my existence During our last conversation, he mentioned
father was a teenage soldier who was and that I was his brother. He told me that he would like to have known more of
absent without leave and my mother a that our mother was dead. He told me our father’s war record. I was able to tell
married woman with children. that I had a sister and younger brother. him that I had visited London and obtained
I am glad that I did find my birth family, He was also able to provide me with some information from the War Records
but I had been warned to be prepared very basic details of my father. I met office about our father, and that I had been
for rejection, and not lose sight of the my sister, whose second husband had in written and telephone conversations with
fact that you may come as a shock to been a police officer (whom I had known, the records office in Scotland, who whilst
people, who are completely unaware of but was unfortunately deceased), and sympathising with me, would not provide
your existence and of the indiscretions eventually met my younger brother and me with the full records because I could not
of people they loved, and you could be other members of the family. legally prove he was my father, but that he
opening doors that people would prefer When I was a young single traffic would for about £75 be able to obtain those
to remain firmly closed. officer, stationed in a small country town records. The last words he ever said to me
At ten years of age, I can remember (not our birth place), my older brother were, ‘ Don’t you pay for them, I will, and
asking my parents if I was adopted. My worked in a shop in the main street, I will send you a copy’ We both knew that
mother produced a birth certificate for me directly opposite the public house which our father had been on the wrong side of
bearing their names. End of argument for I frequented, and he lived in the street the law, both as a soldier and a civilian, but
a ten-year-old boy. across the road from where we parked there must have been something in those
I grew up in a loving working-class our patrol car. war records that must have been really
family environment, as an only child. On Many years later after I had retired, upsetting, and unfortunately I had brought
her death bed, my mother produced my we sat in the same room as my sister them to his notice, and I have never heard
real birth certificate, with just my mother’s for NARPO coffee mornings for at from him again.
name, and my adoption papers, and an least three years, without knowing Hence my warning as regards
original newspaper cutting from the local our relationship, until our first family rejection. I am glad I traced my family
newspaper, where I had been advertised introduction get together. NARPO coffee but be aware of the hurt you may cause
under the ‘Miscellaneous’ column as, mornings were certainly very pleasantly to others. I am not ashamed of my past,
‘Will kind person adopt baby boy, 1 different after that. but I have asked NARPO if they print this
month old, for love only’. I must admit With the help of my eldest son I was letter, then in respect for the privacy of my
that did shake my emotions. able to trace my father’s two sons, who relatives not to print my name or force.
The Greatest Policeman The Great Escape
I was interested in the article headed As an example, the issue of police I read with great interest the letter in
‘The Greatest Policeman?’ (Issue 105 radios took many years to get off the the February 2021 issue of NARPO, from
- February), regarding the wonderfully- ground. In my father’s force (Northants Henry Hall in Canada about a Detective
named Captain Athelstan Popkess. County) there were just two patrol cars versus the Gestapo and the ‘Great
Whist browsing through a local old in the whole county fitted with radios in Escape’ from Sagan, Stalag Luft III.
bookshop many years ago, I came the early post-war years. This was made I would recommend that he or anyone
across a book entitled ‘Traffic Control obvious when he was called to the 1951 else interested in the full story, which tells
and Road Accident Prevention’ written by Weedon train crash with his motor patrol how the Special Investigation Branch
the said Captain Popkess. car becoming the field communications of the RAF secured convictions on the
Being then a full time Police Accident centre with HQ at Northampton. murderers and identified seventy-two
Investigator, I was particularly drawn to a Fast-forward just 13 years and my of the Gestapo thugs who committed
chapter dealing with a scientific approach introduction to the delights of beat them, read Exemplary Justice by Allen
to the investigation of accidents that policing in the Met, where we still relied Andrews. Compared to Paul Brickhill’s
included mathematical formula and test on a whistle, a truncheon and a torch book, it is the veritable encyclopaedia of
instruments that also included a device that had to be slapped on the palm to the whole tragic event and extraordinary
oddly called a ‘stopometer’. This almost work. Communication was restricted to a detective work that the RAF team carried
exactly mimicked the chalk gun that helpful passing motorist, private phone, out, but be warned you may end up
many Accident Investigators, or Forensic or the nearest phone box on Freephone reading its 300 pages at one sitting!
Collision Investigators as they preferred to 219. At least all the vehicles, including Also, Henry is quite correct, McKenna
be called nowadays, will be familiar with. the station ‘Noddy’ bike (remember was a Detective Sgt in the Blackpool
It seems from the contents that them?) had a radio. Happy days! Police, prior to him joining the RAF as
Captain Popkess was very much ahead soon as he was allowed to do so (being
of his time and the many innovations that Derek Smith - London Branch in a reserve occupation).
he championed took a long time to come
to pass. William Lander - Sheffield Branch
10 www.narpo.orgNARPONews - NEWS
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www.narpo.org 11NARPONews - LETTERS
A Silver Lining Support Dogs
Without minimising the devasting I am a retired police officer from
effects of 2020, and into 2021, and the Lancashire (Blackpool Branch) and read
continuing UK deaths and infections - with interest the letter about Support
on a lighter, solely personal note, the dogs. My wife and I have been involved
lockdown here in Wales has proved to be with support dogs for several years, my
a blessing for me, particularly financially. wife was a support worker for deaf people
Prior to March 2020, I was travelling who used hearing dogs, and a couple of
every Saturday to see my hometown years ago we became “puppy walkers” for
team play rugby, home and away, all over a guide dog in training. It was good fun
south and west Wales, and when you although hard work dealing with a puppy
travel distances regularly you don’t think that “grew and grew” like topsy, I had to
at the time how much you are spending train the dog who was a black Labrador
on fuel and wear and tear on the car. It all called Denis. Luckily, the guide dogs paid
felt quite important as I was taking a local for his food, but I had to deal with the
person with me for him to enjoy a day out result!
each week. He’s been doing that with me Denis became a member of the
for four seasons, but not currently! family and was behaving to Guide
It was only after the first lockdown Dogs’ standards when he had to go for
started that I realised I wasn’t buying advanced training, it did cause some
fuel for long periods of time, and that I heartache but was most gratifying to
had money spare at the end of any given know that we had done our bit to help
month when my Police/State Pensions blind people.
arrived afresh. Less maintenance costs I have no idea how many retired police
on the car too - tyres etc. officers use a support dog, all the dogs
This enabled me to be able to afford need someone to look after and love
more easily some repairs, maintenance, them for the years of puppyhood passing
DIY, updates, and renewable items on them on to a needing person.
my house. I started with a full list, which Unfortunately, I cannot do this
is now down to a few jobs left needing anymore after a TIA, but my wife and I
are still volunteers for Guide Dogs and guiding, hearing or whatever a person’s
fixing.
sponsor two of them, we also still have requirement may be. I can only endorse
Without being selfish about it, I am
contact with Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, this. Take the time to do something for
fully aware that others aren’t in this
and last year my NARPO branch made a your fellow human beings. Help give a
position, so I am grateful to be able to
donation to Guide Dogs. person that bit of help they need to live
‘count my blessings’.
As the letter from Joe Royce (February their life to the full.
Allan Evans - Cardiff Branch ‘21 issue) said, it is most rewarding
to “puppy walk” a dog whether for Allan Spencer - Blackpool Branch
A Thank You
Please convey my thanks to Kath
Bainbridge and Heather of the Cumbria NOTICE - Do you fancy an
Branch for laying a wreath at the
Lockerbie Memorial (issue 105). adventure of a lifetime?
The small stone in the foreground
of the picture included in the February There is a dire need for a working at least one candidate driver from each
issue is in memory of my brother-in-law ambulance service in The Gambia, West of their 11 Regions, and supporting them
Tom Flannigan, to the left is that of his Africa. Left-hand drive ambulances are through the process. If you, or a family
daughter Joanne and (out of sight) further being found and serviced in France, member are under 35 and would like to
left that of my sister Kathleen. Portugal and Spain. All you have to do is get involved, please contact the email
It is unlikely I will ever be able to visit fly to collect them and drive them across address below. Each ambulance will
again, so their attendance and wreath the Sahara, how hard can it be? With the need a team of three. The drive will take
laying is greatly appreciated. I am the help of various police organisations, it is place in March/April 2022.
only close relative living in the UK. not a problem. For a starter pack and to register your
The International Police Association interest, email ipagambiaexpedition@
Peter Doolan - London (IPA) is supporting our venture by finding outlook.com
12 www.narpo.orgNARPONews - COMPETITION
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www.narpo.org 13
PMGI3021 Advert 0521NARPONews - NEWS
News
Stories from across the NARPO branch network and our partners
Update from the Police Treatment Centres
I am very conscious that I am writing this article
in March, but the NARPO News Readership will
not be reading it until much later. I am therefore
hoping that we are still following the Prime Minister’s
Roadmap, ticking off the milestones to release the
various restrictions and starting to re-open, and
that a spanner has not been thrown (again) into the
works making this article about the PTC a collector’s
copy of things that never happened!
So, I hope that whilst you are reading this, the
PTC will have re-opened as planned at the end
of April and that both Centres will be back to their
normal busy bustling places of work.
Our intention was to initially re-open with reduced
occupancy to manage ongoing social distancing,
but we hope to increase our patient numbers swiftly
as soon as we can do so. Please keep watching
our website for updates which will always have the
latest information and guidance.
You will be pleased to hear we have managed to
keep the build of the new clinical wings at Harrogate
going despite the best efforts of COVID-19, and
started to donate. Income from retired officers is
although there is a slight delay in the completion
now a significant source of revenue for the PTC
date, we anticipate that the build will be handed over
and continues to grow every year. We were also
to the PTC in early May 2021. We intend to get the
delighted to receive notification recently from the
new wings in use as soon as possible, and they will
Derbyshire NARPO Branch who are one of our
add an extra 20 bedrooms to the PTC real estate,
newest Forces, that they would like to donate a
increase the number of counselling and treatment
commemorative item for the PTC New Wings. This
rooms available, add new workshop rooms, a
is great news and an important part of making sure
community hall, and improve and expand our overall
that our NARPO branches are recognised and
wellbeing provision.
commemorated in the gradual evolution of the PTC.
Once we get back to normal, we will explore what
I will close on mentioning our plans for Bed and
more we can do to better treat wellbeing and mental
Breakfast weekends which we run at both Centres
health issues within policing. At the moment our
during normal times. Neither of the Centres have
Psychological Wellbeing Programme (PWP) treats
taken any B&B Bookings since March 2020 due
mild to moderate issues, but we are keen to explore
to COVID-19. As soon as the bookings were
whether we can develop an additional PWP that will
cancelled everyone was immediately refunded, but
focus on dealing with more complex trauma such
I know that this was disappointing for some of our
as PTSD. We are also very much aware that many
regular customers. I am sure everyone recognises
retired colleagues continue to suffer from wellbeing
that patient admission and treatment must be our
challenges into their retirement, and it is not simply
priority, but with the easing of restrictions we hope
a case of putting service related mental health and
to open for B&B Bookings in early Summer, and our
wellbeing issues behind them once they leave the
website is now open to take bookings again.
police service, so we continue to think what we can
Many thanks for your continued support, and I
do in this regard, and whether there is a programme
very much hope we can get back to doing what we
which could and should develop for our retired
do best soon, which is treating ill and injured serving
cohort.
and retired officers.
I am hugely grateful for the many retirees who
have continued to donate to the PTC over the
Patrick Cairns - CEO, Police Treatment Centres
last 12 months, and indeed for those who have
14 www.narpo.orgNARPONews - NEWS
Chief Constables Commendations
Three members of Northumbria Ken at the branch meetings and
Wilf
Branch have recently received in the Annual General Meeting
Commendations from the Northumbria reports. Others may not be so
Police Chief Constable Winton Keenen, familiar.
along with other trustees and committee In the mid 1970’s a bequest
members for their work with the of £22,000 was received by
Northumbria Police Benevolent Fund. Northumbria Police to be used
Wilf Laidler, John Watts, and Ken for the benefit of serving and
Watson received these commendations retired police officers. The then
during a virtual bi-monthly Benevolent Chief Constable, Stanley Bailey,
Fund Meeting. after receiving advice set up a
The recipients who have served on the charitable fund in the name of the
Benevolent Fund for 25 years, 23 years donor, Lillian Eve, with her two
and 14 years respectively have been children and two serving officers
commended for their outstanding service being the trustees.
and dedication to the fund and their It was decided that the
support for serving and retired officers. voluntary welfare contributions
Wilf is the Vice Chair of the paid by serving officers would be
Benevolent Fund, and Chair of the Lillian paid into the fund and the system
Eve Trust, the financial benefactor for the be run via the then Welfare
Fund. John is a committee member and Department and that the fund incident at work, or an interest free loan
Trustee and served as Secretary for 9 would be open to contributing serving or grant in the event of serious financial
years, both during service and since his officers and retired officers receiving problems. Whilst the Trust deed cannot
retirement for the police, and Ken was a police pension (since September be altered the rules and regulations
a Trustee and is a current committee 2011 retired officers must have been governing the management can, so over
member. a contributing member before their the years being an organic organisation
Members of Northumbria Branch will retirement). it has evolved to meet the changing
be aware of the Benevolent Fund from Initially officers could apply for a requirements of serving and retired
the regular updates given by Wilf and stress break following a traumatic officers.
By careful management, the fund
grew to a sufficient level that
enabled
the trust to purchase a
John Ken log cabin, which has been
recently replaced, in the
Lake District for the use of
members to have break
relatively close to home.
This has proved beneficial
to members and the trust.
Apart from breaks in
Lake District retired officers
can also access grants for
emergency roof repairs,
fitting stair lifts and safety
rails, specialist toilet facilities
and many other benefits
that were not available from
other sources.
www.narpo.org 15NARPONews - NEWS
Welsh National Police Memorial
Even though
National Day of
there have been
over 80 Welsh
Reflection:
police officer Thank You
deaths recorded
in the line of duty, A thank you from our partners
from the present Marie Curie; “Thank you NARPO,
and former police for being part of the National Day of
forces in Wales, Reflection on 23 March.
Wales remains the It truly was a special day - bringing
only home nation people from all backgrounds,
not to have its own communities, and all parts of the
dedicated National UK together, to reflect on the tragic
Police Memorial. loss of life we’ve all felt over the last
Consequently, year and support to all those who are
since 2013 The grieving.
Police Roll of Honour We really appreciate your
Trust has actively involvement and support, which
at the memorial location to indicate this
pursued a policy of making the dream of helped make it such a special and
to be the case. The book will include the
such a memorial commemorating fallen meaningful occasion for the nation.
names of all known colleagues who have
police officers in Wales a reality. We were contacted by Gloucester-
died in the line of duty in Wales, from
In December 2019 significant shire NARPO, who told us they
forces both past present, as well as those
progress was made when the Welsh planned to contact their members
who have a base in Wales but police
Chief Officer Group gave their support for who had lost someone during the
nationally. This will ensure that additional
a memorial and that the work would be pandemic. I know many of your
names can be added with ease. The
taken forward in conjunction with the Roll other branches would have done
book may be a physical book or a digital
of Honour Trust. something similar.
version of the same, this aspect is being
It has been agreed by the Welsh Chief Hundreds of organisations and
further explored.
Officer Group that the memorial will be millions of people paused for a
Once the proposed design has been
located in Cardiff. Contact was made with minute’s silence at midday.
agreed and full funding sourced, the
Cardiff City Council and a draft proposal Landmarks – from the London
planning application stage can be started.
for a Welsh National Police Memorial was Eye, to Cardiff Castle, Belfast City
It was agreed that the design of the
submitted to Cardiff City Council’s Public Hall and the Scottish Parliament
Memorial would be opened up to the five
Art Advisory Committee. In August 2020, Building – shone yellow to light up
University Art Schools in Wales. To-date,
Cardiff City Council ‘s Chief Planning the night for the bereaved. And many
four have confirmed their intertest in
Officer confirmed that the proposal had people took to their doorstops with
taking part in the design process.
been accepted and the project could their own candles, torches and phone
It is intended that the memorial
move to the next stage. In November lights too.
would be funded solely by way of public/
2020 Cardiff City Council approved the In communities, people tied
workforce fundraising and donations.
preferred location of Alexandra Gardens ribbons around trees in memory
Various donations have since been
in Cardiff, which is in the heart of the city of people who have died, planted
received from elements of the ‘police
and offered two potential locations. Both flowers, created spring flower
family’ and are being held by the Trust.
locations were reviewed in December displays.
Any future donations would be gratefully
2020, and in January 2021 a prime Days like this show how powerful
received and faithfully put to good use
location close to the Welsh National War it can be when we unite as a nation.
by the Trust in relation to the proposed
Memorial and Welsh National Falklands The pandemic isn’t over, and its long-
Welsh National Police Memorial. To
War Memorial was reserved. term effects will take a long time to
donate, please go to the following link
It is intended not to include names be fully understood, so in the weeks
in JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/
in the design of the memorial and for and months to come, it’s important
fundraising/HeddluMemorial
the memorial to be of a design which that we keep supporting each other.
John Giblin, Vice Chairman, Police
allows it to mean something to any family Your members can also continue
Roll of Honour Trust (Royal Charter)
member, relative, friend or colleague of to call the Marie Curie Support
The Police Roll of Honour Trust was
those who have died whilst serving the Line on 0800 090 2309 for ongoing
formed in March 2000, as a registered
communities of Wales, regardless of how support from a trained bereavement
charity and is incorporated by Royal
they died or the role that they undertook. volunteer.
Charter, with objectives in the provision of
To ensure that the memorial is in Thank you again for your support.
a record of all those police officers, who
keeping with the aims and objectives of Together, we were able to make this
lost their lives on and in the line of duty,
the Trust, it is intended that the names day special for the millions who’ve
since the earliest of times throughout the
of colleagues who have died in the line been bereaved and take time to
United Kingdom and Ireland.
of duty will be included in a book, which celebrate the lives of the people
www.policememorial.org.uk for more
will be held at a police station close to they’re grieving for.”
information.
the Memorial, with appropriate signage
16 www.narpo.orgYou can also read
