Two members from the north of England are set to encounter a trip of a lifetime after details were

Now in it’s sixth year, the No.3 Regional Study Tour has become one of the Association’s most successful policing initiatives, offering two officers, every year, the chance to experience for themselves, policing in another country. Starting with a visit by a female member to Hamburg in 2001, successful Study Tours have included visits to Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris and Copenhagen. Now, to mark the fact that this year will see the tenth tour, a special destination has been selected.

Thanks to the help and assistance of the IPA Region 29 in the USA, two officers are being sent to Sacramento in Northern California. ‘Chief Najera of the City of Sacramento Police Department, has kindly agreed to allow our officers to join his department in uniform, to take part in a programme that will allow them a unique opportunity to discuss and compare various aspects of police duty with his members who do similar duties,’ said tour award co-ordinator Gary Waine.

The two winners are David Taylor, a PC with the North Yorkshire Police and Mark Shearman, a PC with Cheshire Constabulary.

David, from Selby, is attached to the Firearms Support Unit and Dog Section, stationed at Tadcaster. He is married to Yvonne, who is also a patrol officer in the same force. The couple has decided to take a working holiday together in California! A special programme is being arranged for Yvonne and David is already scheduled to meet the K-9 Unit Commander of the local section.

Mark Shearman (above right) lives in Stockport and is attached to the North West Underwater Search and Marine Unit, stationed at Runcorn. Mark will be introduced to the Commander of the Marine Unit which patrols the waterways of the Sacramento and American Rivers. Both officers will have the opportunity for a ride-along and, if possible, Mark will have a dive-along - another first for the Study Tour programme.