I had a terrific trip to the United Kingdom, my first time back since 2019. My schedule was hectic as usual, between intermittent meetings with the International Police Association (IPA) and a private investigators conference with the Association of British Investigators (ABI) in Solihull Birmingham as a representative of the World Association of Detectives (WAD). However, I always find time to meet with my international colleagues across the pond, where I was graciously welcomed with open arms.
I have been to the UK a few times before and already have forged connections with colleagues such as Dipesh Dattani and Philip Stubbs, with whom I still remain in contact with throughout the years. Through the IPA-USA, I was connected with Alex William, the IPA London Reception Officer.
The next day, I had two separate meetings. I first met with my IPA UK colleague and friend Dipesh Dattani at the US Embassy for lunch. I visited the new Embassy previously in 2019 but I enjoy returning to fantastic places in perpetuity. My WAD private investigator colleague Mike LaCorte from Conflict International, based in London, joined me as well.
It has always been my goal to close the gap between public safety sector and the private investigation sector. The Memorandum of Understanding between the IPA and WAD, created and implemented in 2019 between then WAD President Dan Rusu from Romania and IPA IEC President Pierre Martin-Moulin, has unfortunately reached its sunset in 2024. However, I continue to forge the bond internationally between the members of both organizations in sharing information that can be utilized to help solve numerous cases on both sides of the public safety and private investigations sector.
Afterwards, I took the train about an hour north of SoHo London where I was staying for the week. It was there I connected with IPA UK member Sergeant Brad Cross from Watford Police Station, Hertfordshire Constabulary. Brad picked me up from the train station in his Panda, or Radio Motor Patrol vehicle. He drove me around the small town and went back to the police station. Brad introduced me to his colleagues there in the beautiful new building. I met his Chief Inspector Andy Wiseman and we exchanged gifts of police regalia. One thing I noticed is the patrol constables still don’t possess firearms for their safety in these every growing tumultuous and insidious times, with the prolonged instability of global terrorism, gang violence, and criminal syndicates on the rise. I have remained in touch with Brad to this day.
Tuesday April 1 was a doubleheader of tours and events for me. The first was a meeting with retired London Metro Detective Inspector Dermott Carroll. We met up by Leicester Square to begin our walking tour by grabbing coffee and exchanging police regalia. Dermott showed me around as we walked all over to Buckingham Palace, took pictures with the armed police by Buckingham Palace residences at Marlborough Gardens in St James’s area.
The next event that evening was at the Tower of London Ceremony of the Keys event that was initiated by Dipesh Dattani once again. This ceremonial locking and unlocking of the gates of the Tower fortress, seven minutes to 2200 hours, has taken place perpetually for centuries since King Edward III mandated the edict in 1340 A.D. I had already been on this tour back in 2019 but it’s always a fun experience no matter how many times one attends. IPA UK member Gary Egerton was my point of contact for that tour and it was phenomenal as always, not to mention being able to have some drinks with the Yeoman’s Warders, aka Beefeaters. My IPA colleague from London Metro, Philip Stubbs, joined me on the auspicious occasion as he did back in 2019. Philip and I met up with some of my WAD colleagues beforehand for impromptu dinner and drinks. Present were WAD president Wes Bearden, past president Mike LaCorte and his Conflict International members Jon and Angelo, and Mike Thompson.
The very next day took me on a visit to the United Grand Lodge of England for a visit with my fellow Freemasons as representative of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. I was able to witness the performance of their Fellow Craft degree and accompany my Brethren as a guest for their collation dinner afterwards.
I traveled on Thursday to Solihull, outside of Birmingham, for the ABI private investigator conference, about two hours outside of London. I stumbled upon the West Midlands Police Station on my way to the hotel from the train station. The first thing they asked was what happened, as they normally don’t receive visitors unless a crime or incident had occurred. I spoke with some of the constables and detectives there, and exchanged police regalia gifts once again.
The ABI conference room place at the Hogarths Hotel, to which I constantly referred to as Hogwarts in a joking manner. All of the WAD members whom I had met up with and previously mentioned during my trip were in attendance, with more at the conference. We welcomed WAD members 1st Vice President Philip Ryffel, Yin Johnson, Mike Wright, Dick Smith, Tony Imossi, Mark Hodgson – Vice President of ABI and Matthew Spaier from ALDONYS and PI Perspectives podcast. The conference had insightful speakers, great vendors and a wonderful countryside ambiance similar to my first one in 2019 Anglesey Wales. To get some sightseeing experiences, I visited the National Trust Packwood House with colleague Yin Johnson. It was an auspicious occasion where our very own Mike LaCorte was sworn in as ABI president at the Gala dinner, and the celebration continued well into the evening. I look forward to future ABI conferences as representative of the W.A.D.
Onward and upward until my wanderlust carries me on my next adventure. Servo per Amikeco, stay safe, watch your six and take care of one another.
Fraternally yours,
Jason “J.E.” Cohen
NYPD Detective (Ret.), Licensed Private Investigator
Owner of Allegiance Investigative Solutions LLC
IPA-USA New York City Region 2
W.A.D. Board Director, Chairman of New Business Committee