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SPRING 2024 TOP COVER 3

CONTENTS

4 TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE
From 5k to Kilimanjaro

6 THE LATEST NEWS
Welcome to The PFOA’s new offices and the
chance to shop at our store 4
TOP COVER LOOKING AFTER
8 OUR MEMBERS

Welcome to the latest edition of Top Cover. It
Services and support from the PFOA
is difficult to put into words about the current
situation we find ourselves in within armed 10 NORTHERN LIGHTS
policing. On the one hand we have men and Northumbria’ s hi-tech training facility
women putting their lives on the line on a daily 16
basis, dealing with the continued threat of 16 SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE
armed and dangerous criminal and terrorists. The difference your donations make
On the other hand we have one of our own BEST OF BRITISH 16
awaiting trial on a charge of murder following 18
an incident while he was at work, protecting the A visit to Shield Sights in Dorset
public and his colleagues. IN THE LINE OF FIRE
Of course, we cannot discuss the case, but I 20 Former Sgt Mark Newman and the
think we all feel frustration and in some ways
terrifying pursuit of George Knights
anger at how this has come about. Something 22
serious situation with regard to the recruitment 22 TEAMWORK TAKES ANDY
needs to happen and soon before we have a very
ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP
and retention of armed officers. Our thoughts Former SFO and Olympic hockey
are with NX121 and his family (I just don’t feel manager Andy Halliday on teamwork,
it’s right to use his name even here), and he will humility and psychological safety
continue to get our full support.
There are many articles within this latest 29 THE BLUE KNIGHTS
offering, thank you to all those who have Law enforcement’s motorcycle club
contributed. I am particularly grateful to Tony
Long for the work he has been doing for Top 36 MENOPAUSE AWARENESS
Cover and for his soon to be released Top Support for women and men in midlife
Cover podcasts. We have a new website being
MEET THE TEAM
launched which has been condensed somewhat
Editor – Mark Williams
and steers us further away from social media
and being embroiled in politics! Contact us: Produced by:
19/20 South Fens Chestnut Media
I am delighted to be working with Inspector
Business Centre, 25 Castle Street
Damian Ishwerwood (TVP) and the Curtis
Fenton Way, Chatteris, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1DR
Palmer Programme (CPP) charity. We have a Cambridgeshire PE16 6TT Tel: 07903 304319
5K sponsored run/walk/stagger organised for T: 01354 697890 E: richard@chestnutmedia.co.uk
9 June at TVP HQ to raise funds for the CPP E: info@pfoa.co.uk www.chestnutmedia.co.uk
and PFOA (further details can be found on www.pfoa.co.uk
Cover picture © Stuart Boulton / Alamy support you and your families in whatever way 1139247. Company No. 07295737.
page 4).
© The Police Firearms Officers Association, 2024; reproduction strictly forbidden unless
by prior arrangement with the publishers. Registered charity in England and Wales No.
All at the PFOA are so proud to be able to
The PFOA cannot accept any liability for losses incurred by any person as a result of a default
on the part of an advertiser in Top Cover. The Editor reserves the right to amend or edit all
we can. Never lose faith, thank you for the
material as necessary, and where possible, with the consent of the contributor.
work you do keeping us all safe and for your
Gift Aid is available for charities to claim 25p in the pound back from donations made to
continued loyal service to your communities
charity. You can ask for Gift Aid to be claimed on your behalf for your PFOA donations by
and our country.
emailing the office at info@pfoa.co.uk, putting ‘Gift Aid donations’ in the subject box. Please
state your full name, house number and postcode. Gift Aid forms at the office contain these
details; we keep these records in case HMRC want to check that the name on a return is from
Mark Williams, Editor mark@pfoa.co.uk
a bona fide taxpayer. We can then claim the Gift Aid back, and use it to support colleagues
and their families across the UK.
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