ICPRA Chairman exchanging ideas about international policing

Cross Pacific talks when ICPRA visited its new European member

(Luxembourg, May 27th, 2008)

To meet its new members and get informed about European policing issues.
That was the reason for the visit of Greg O'Connor, Chairman of ICPRA, the International Council of Police Representative Associations where EuroCOP became a member in November 2007.

ICPRA was established to bring national police unions together to discuss police union issues, to share information and to foster strong relationships between national associations.

"The borders between police are disappearing, we need to make sure that the borders between police unions are disappearing as well," O'Connor said, referring to the fact that it is more common that police officers take part of missions abroad or are even recruited from abroad. 

The chairman of ICPRA, who is also the President of the New Zealand Police Association paid EuroCOP a visit to see the offices of its new member but also to get to know the people working for EuroCOP and how policing in Europe works.
"[Our government and police academy like to get ideas from other countries] and we want to make sure that we [as well] understand how police works around the world."

According to O'Connor, EuroCOP can be of much help here.
"EuroCOP has a good knowledge of the European policing systems, such as the systems in Eastern Europe. You also represent different kinds of organisations, from well established ones like Belgium and Germany to [younger] unions," he added.

The meeting took place at EuroCOP's offices in Luxembourg, together with EuroCOP Vice President Jan Schonkeren:
"We are very pleased to be a part of this international police union network. It is essential for EuroCOP to extend its horizon even internationally, and there are many things one can learn from one another, "Schonkeren said.

O'Connor agrees.
"EuroCOP could be a model for us to overcome problems with different types of jurisdictions."

ICPRA was established in 1996. The idea behind it came from the Canadian Police Association which invited police associations around the globe to meet up and discuss international policing issues.

The issues that ICPRA have exchanged information on in the past include health and safety, wages and benefits and overlooking trends and practises as well as private security.
One of the current topics discussed, expect for the frequent police reforms taking place, is second-tier policing, where less trained civilians help out the trained police staff.
"Second-tier policing is something being widely discussed internationally. Some reject it totally and some are embracing it," O'Connor said.

ICPRA meets biannually and the next meeting is scheduled for October 19-21, 2008 in Wellington, New Zealand. For the moment the members are not subject to any fees, and there are no plans on introducing them. It has 16 members where EuroCOP is the biggest organisation. Other members include the South African Police Union, The Canadian Police Association, The Police Union in Denmark, The Scottish Police Federation and the New Zealand Police Association.

Find out more:
www.icpra.org