Day 1: Arrival - Myself and Owen landed in Dusseldorf Airport and had an unexpected delay in claiming our baggage. Thankfully though the guys on the coach were kind enough to hold on and wait for us! We then began our trip to LAFP. This was a huge Police complex owned by the Police of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW). The NRW State Bureau for Training, Professional Development and Personnel (Landesamt für Ausbildung, Fortbildung und Personalangelegenheiten or LAFP)
All the members were then able to meet each other properly. There were Officers from the UK, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. We shared food and the IPA House(with a bar!) was opened. Members then also invited to also play a few games of Kegeln. (A game a bit like 9 Pin bowling!) It got quite competitive but it was funny.
The night was finished with Officers from around the world swapping war stories and experiences.
Day 2: We started our day with breakfast on camp. A hot coffee and a mixture of German breakfast items went down a treat.
We were then provided a briefing and an insight into the structure of the Police in Germany. We learned how each department, strand and Force worked and co-operated.
A little later we were then treated to a tour of Burg Vischering. A small castle located in Lüdinghausen, a small town not far from Münster.
It was certainly picturesque with it's moat, fortifications and history. We were provided with a guided tour around the castle and the grounds. The atmosphere was perfect with the smell of a local bakery in the air and people sat outside enjoying themselves.
We then had our dinner and proceeded onward Münster for a guided tour. Upon our arrival, we were met by members of IPA Münster who provided us with locally baked goods and a few glasses of bubbly. We sat and exchanged our experiences whilst overlooking a packed lake and park.
Our tour then proceeded and was directed by a retired Police Officer who had covered the area. The insights provided were second to none. We were able to explore Münster Cathedral as well as the Halls of Peace. A truly lovely experience.
Our tour then ended with a meal and a few drinks in a local restaurant. A perfect way to end the day before we returned to the LAFP base.
Day 3: Our day started again with a fine breakfast and we were then welcomed by local IPA Officials who kindly provided us with a tour of the LAFP North Rhine Westphalia base at Selm-Bork where we were staying. The sheer amount of facilities, support and resources was truly astonishing. We were given a briefing about the recruitment, training and courses available for new recruits. It was great to compare each others programmes and training to learn from each other.
We were also given a tour of the firearms ranges, weapons, equipment and vehicles.
We then took part in "Grenzgang". A mandatory part of Police training about teaching ethics, the impact of decision making and both past and current day challenges to Modern Policing. This was also hosted by a friend of the IPA.
Our 3rd day culminated in a welcome BBQ and beers at the IPA House on the grounds were members from 4 nations met and got to know each other.
Day 4: After breakfast we then embarked on our journey to Bochum, a town in NRW where a large contingent of the Riot Police are stationed. We were warmly welcomed and were provided with a detailed briefing on the Riot Police including their teams, deployments, tactics and equipment. We were then provided with a demonstration on extinguishing fires during Public Order scenarios and the use of equipment.
Following this, we were then taken to the training area. A group of us decided we were brave, or stupid enough to get a first hand experience of
the Water Cannon used by the Riot Police.
We equipped our Public Order shields and formed up infront of the Water Cannon. A thin blue line of Officers from around the world then held out against gallons of highly pressured water. The power was immense at even the lowest setting. A truly amazing experience and quite funny to hear "Hold the line!" in British, Dutch, Canadian and German accents together.
We were then taken to visit the Mounted Unit who kindly provided a demonstration and even then allowed us to take part in one which involved crowd dispersion, arrests and escorting groups.
Our day ended in a visit to Duisburgs Landschaftspark. An old industrial piece of land turned into a tourist hotspot. The land contained disused factories and industrial machinery and mining equipment. This was followed by a guided tour of the Moritz Fiege brewery and of course food and beers!
Day 5: Our day started with a visit to the Duisburg Innovation Lab. The only way to describe this team would be like visiting the Men in Black. Their role is to provide the future of Policing. We were shown new ideas, concepts and futuristic equipment. It was truly eye opening to see the potential of new equipment in fighting crime. Their resources were superbly impressive.
We were then taken to visit the Water Police who patrol the Rivers, Canals and waterways of NRW. We were invited aboard one of their patrol boats and we were given a briefing on how they operate and their daily duties.
After dinner we then made our way to Düsseldorf and visited the Ministry of the Interior and the Centre for International Co-operation. Here we met Chief Officers and discussed modern international Policing operations and cooperation. A superb discussion with of a lot of learning being obtained from everyone.
This was followed by a guided tour of Alstadt, the old town of Düsseldorf where we learned the cities history and explored some amazing sights, and was rounded up with a superb meal at a local Brauhaus.
Day 6: Our morning started with an insight into Virtual Reality (VR) Training. We were invited to take part in a VR Training scenario for recruits where a Road Traffic Collision was encountered and dealt with. All in 12K Video! It was one of many different scenarios with more being made constantly.
We then explored digital mapping of crime scenes and how they can be imported into virtual reality for Investigating Officers and Court.
After dinner, we were able to explore the city of Münster once more. A group of us found a local Brauhause (Pub) and were able to enjoy a meal and a few beers together whilst speaking with local residents. We then returned to LAFP Selm-Bork to share a BBQ and beer with other IPA members.
Day 7: We then departed LAFP Selm-Bork for the Federal Police base at Sankt Augustin. We were welcomed with a detailed briefing and a demonstration of each specialised role.
We were invited to meet the teams and try out the equipment first hand which included everything from Patrol Boats through to working at height equipment, thermal equipment and more.
We were then taken to the Federal Police's Airport and given a guided tour by one of their Helicopter Pilots. We explored their aircraft,
operations and exchanged professional practices and experiences with each of the Specialist Teams there.
We then departed Sankt Augustin for IBZ Gimborn Castle. Our journey through the stunning country side was outshone by Gimborn Castle when we arrived. The picturesque grounds and amazing architecture was unreal.
We were welcomed with a BBQ and many beers were shared.
It was truly magnificent to spend the night there.
Day 8: We departed Gimborn Castle for Cologne (Köln). Our day started with a River cruise along the Rhine when we stopped at the town of Linz. We were provided with a guided tour of the town and it's history. With it's typical Rhine town architecture and layout it was honestly beautiful. We met and shared a glass of wine with local IPA Members and then embarked on our trip to Cologne.
We visited the city and of course, the Cathedral. It was extremely busy so we split up as a group and took the opportunity to do some shopping before meeting back up at a local Brauhaus for our final meal together as a team which we shared with local IPA Members.
We then stayed the night at the Federal Police base at Sankt Augustin.
Day 9: Throughout the morning we all made our departures to various airports or onward journeys. We were kindly provided with transport by our hosts no matter the distance.
I arrived safely and soundly back in the UK with a heavy heart after an absolutely amazing trip of a life time.
The professional learning and development was second to none. To have Officers from four nations sharing knowledge, best practice and experience is amazing. Our team work during our exercises was seemless and proves that we certainly are a worldwide Thin Blue Line.
I cannot thank my German hosts, IPA UK, Canada and Netherlands enough for this trip. I have taken so much away from it, not just professionally and operationally but personally too.
I cannot express my thanks enough.
In friendship,
Dan Owen, 3 Region, Liverpool & Merseyside Branch
