Dec 01 - GDP Federation Attend Police Reception In The House of Lords
On Wednesday the 26th November, the General Secretary of the Gibraltar Defence Police Federation Mr. Martin Hosken attended a reception hosted by Baroness Harris of Richmond with the Police Constables of the Police Federation of England and Wales at the House of Lords.
Various UK politicians were present and were able to hear firsthand the struggles faced by British Police officers on the frontline. Although Gibraltar Police organisations are significantly smaller than UK Police organisations, they share similar struggles.
The Chairman of the Police Constables of the Federation of England and Wales, Will Riches, spoke of the continuing need to be proactive in his representative role to ensure that the core values of British Policing were not lost by budget cuts.
The Gibraltar Defence Police Federation was recognised in Baroness Harris' speech. In private she asked the General Secretary of the GDPF to relay her best wishes to serving and retired Gibraltar Defence Police officers who hold a special place in her heart. She was pleased to hear of the continued positive relationship that exists between the GDP Federation and the Ministry of Defence Command in Gibraltar.
The EuroCOP President Anna Nellberg was at the Reception and was pleased to hear of the progress made by RGP Association Representatives and the GDP Federation in continuing to build on positives relationships with Spanish Police Representatives.
In Mid November both Gibraltar Police Representative bodies attended the UFPOL Conference in Benidorm, Spain, and were warmly received. Martin Hosken was humbled to receive an invitation to the function which led to his first visit to the Houses of Parliament in London. He had the pleasure of meeting Baroness Young of Hornsey and Andrew MacKinglay (MP for Thurrock 1992-2010).
Andrew MacKinlay made special mention of the MOU that has been agreed between the Commissioner of Police and the GDP Chief Police Officer. He was pleased to hear of the positive progress that has been achieved to bring both the RGP and GDP closer together for the benefit of all in Gibraltar. Being a part of the EuroCOP family has also seen greater dialogue and cooperation between the RGP Association and GDP Federation which is also a positive thing for Policing in Gibraltar.
GDP Federation Secretary Mr. Martin Hosken stated "the Police officers we represent provide a brilliant service to Gibraltar and it is our role in our respective committees to ensure that we do all that is in our power to represent their interests effectively. Our members deserve our best efforts."
