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Quality attendance, conference and contacts at ACPO-APA 2006
The end of May saw the policing community converge in London for the ACPO-APA conference and exhibition. And whilst a few claim visitor numbers were down, the quality was obviously high in attendance. The very high quality of visitors to ACPO-APA 2006 held at ExCeL London from 23rd to 25th May, confirmed the event’s reputation as the most influential event of the year for the police sector.
The event, which attracted just under 2000 top level representatives from police forces, police authorities and government agencies from across the UK and abroad, comprises the ACPO-APA Summer Conference and International Policing Exhibition, organised on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities, took place for the first time as a stand-alone event, endorsed and supported by the ACPO Procurement Group, the Centre for Procurement Excellence in the Police Service (PEPS) and the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers. Over 130 top specialist suppliers at the Exhibition showcased the most comprehensive range of equipment, technology and services for the police and security sector seen on show in the UK, including biometrics, anti-theft systems, command and control, drug identification, crime recording systems, firearms, explosives detection, protective clothing, training, security systems, special operations equipment, forensics, vehicles and surveillance equipment. Exhibitors from across the sector reported good business leads and networking with delegates and visitors from police forces, police authorities, central and local government agencies and regional crime reduction units including representatives from the British Transport Police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), the Crown Prosecution Service, the Defence Procurement Agency, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, HM Prisons, the ACPO Implementation team IMPACT, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Northern Ireland Policing Board. “I went on the first day of the exhibition and thoroughly enjoyed it, well done!” said John Bradley, Fleet Manager for Hampshire Constabulary. The free seminar programme within the exhibition hall included presentations by major policing organisations including the newly formed Child Exploitation On-line Protection Centre (CEOP), the Central Police Training and Development Authority (Centrex), the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), the National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM), the Forensic Science Service, the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) and the Centre for Procurement Excellence in the Police Service (PEPS). Visiting police and security personnel benefited from receiving the latest information on a broad range of topics from advanced forensic telecom extraction techniques to workforce modernisation and the new police pension scheme. The seminars were complemented by informative case studies and product demonstrations by exhibitors. Delegates at the ACPO-APA Conference who included ACPO members, representatives from the police authorities, police agencies, the
Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, heard from key ministers including the Home Secretary, the Rt. Hon Dr John Reid, the Rt. Hon. David Davies, the Shadow Home Affairs Minister, and the Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg, Home Affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats as well as addresses from ACPO President Ken Jones and APA President Bob Jones. Bob Jones said, “The ACPO-APA Conference 2006 brought a wide range of policing professionals together at a useful time and gave us the opportunity to share views and engage in constructive dialogue on a wide range of important matters. Events such as this are important in helping everyone to take stock and identify key elements for the future so that we can move forward in a balanced and cohesive manner.” Major themes for this year’s conference included the future of policing, counter-terrorism, organised crime, delivering local policing, call handling, performance and accountability, workforce modernisation and international issues focusing on sporting events such as the World Cup and the Olympics. ACPO-APA 2007 will take place from 19-21 at G-Mex Manchester with the ACPO-APA Summer Conference with its 3 day programme running alongside the ACPO Policing Exhibition (20-21 May). Police and security personnel working at all levels of responsibility will be invited to visit the free-to-attend exhibition which will include a full programme of free training seminars and briefings on the latest equipment and technology.
