City
of Culture Meets the Complex World of Policing at Liverpool’s ACPO-APA
International Policing Exhibition 2008
The
2008 International Policing Exhibition attracted 150 exhibitors and over
1200 professionals from the policing and security sector to the brand
new Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre (ACC) from 25-26 June. Visitors
included Chief and Assistant Chief Police Officers, Police Authority members,
representatives from the Home Office, the Border and Immigration Agency,
British Transport Police, Crown Prosecution Service, prison authorities,
HM Revenue and Customs, the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA)
as well as all police staff, associates and colleagues and those specialising
in forensics, crime reduction, training, procurement, community safety,
IT and communications.
Leading suppliers showcased the latest equipment and technology either
currently available, or in the course of development for the policing
and security sector. This ranged from anti-riot equipment, biometrics,
body armour and protective clothing to command and control systems, drug
detection, fleet management, fraud investigation, traffic surveillance,
and vehicle tracking and recognition systems. The latest police transport
was on display from Land Rover to in vehicle mobile computer systems shown
by Hub, Tempus, Futronics, Survision and Panasonic. Motorcycles were on
show from Yamaha including the new WR250 and X City 250 models and cyclescheme,
the provider of tax-free bikes for work, was providing information about
its work with police forces across the UK.
The International Policing Exhibition saw many other suppliers launching
new products. The National Police Improvement Agency launched their mobile
information programme of next generation of data solutions. Argus displayed
the latest in handheld thermal imaging technology with their thermal imaging
cameras. Visor technologies launched the ‘Powdersafe’ isolation
and containment system and MC Products were displaying a wide range of
the latest in equipment vests including a wide range of bespoke hi-visibility
and black which can be worn with or without body armour. In addition,
Sira Defence and Security presented their latest software that enables
policemen to have instant access to CCTV footage at evidential quality.
Logica was at hand to discuss its services which are being used to develop
and support the information systems for the new Independent Safeguarding
Authority (ISA) Scheme for children and vulnerable adults.
The free seminar programme within the exhibition hall was a popular focus
point and included presentations with keynote speakers from Microsoft,
NPIA and ACPO Procurement, and other exhibitors showing work on projects
with police forces and authorities. Topics included Internal Security,
Cyber Intelligence and Public safety and Justice.
The exhibition featured wireless network cafés from O2 and Ebay
and ICTS-GIS canine drug search dog demonstrations took place in the main
entrance area of the hall.
The International Policing Exhibition successfully displayed the future
solutions to ‘Policing a complex World’, the theme of the accompanying
closed Annual Summer Conference for the Association of Chief Police Officers
and Association of Police Authorities. Bill Weightman, Chair of Merseyside
Police Authority gave the opening address at the conference and Rt.Hon
Jacqui Smith, Secretary of State for the Home Department was a keynote
speaker. Assembled delegates gathered for the full 3-day conference programme,
which covered a range of topical issues including market development in
forensics, E-crime, information assurance, workforce modernisation, tackling
youth crime, criminal justice, drugs enforcement and the preparations
for the 2012 Olympics.
Next year’s Policing Exhibition will take place at the Manchester
G-MEX from 3-4 June with the ACPO-APA Summer Conference taking place alongside
it from 2-4 June at the same venue.
ACPO President Ken Jones commented: 'The recent ACPO-APA 2008 conference
in Liverpool was a great success and was attended by more than 400 delegates
from across the forces. I am delighted that this year’s event took
place in this year’s Europe Capital of Culture and in a fantastic
venue worthy of this great city, its unique character and people.'
More details regarding the 2009 event will be available in due course
at http://www.acpo-apa.co.uk
