Thames Valley ‘Partnering with Defence’ Event

On Monday 24^th November the South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (SERFCA) and Thames Valley Police hosted an Employer Engagement Event at the Thames Valley Police Training Centre in Reading, welcoming a broad mix of organisations from across the South East.

The evening commenced with a guided tour of the Thames Valley Police Dog Section facilities, including an impressive demonstration by one of the dogs in training who is named after former British paratrooper, veteran’s campaigner and author, Ben Parkinson MBE. 

Following the tour, guests returned to the presentation hall for an opening address by the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Jason Hogg. He was followed by Lieutenant Colonel Victoria Eaton of Headquarters South East, who provided an overview of the British Army and Reserve units in the Thames Valley, and Squadron Leader John Burgess, Officer Commanding 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, who outlined the RAF presence in the region.

Attendees also heard first-hand insights from two Thames Valley Police employees: Major Lewis Harratt, a serving Reservist, and Steve Clements, a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer. Their contributions were followed by closing remarks from Group Captain Keith Lane (Retd), Head of Engagement at SERFCA.

The event concluded with the signing of five Armed Forces Covenants (AFCs), co-signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by Lieutenant Colonel Eaton and Squadron Leader Burgess. The organisations signing their Covenants were:

• BAM Engineering Ltd
• Duffy Logistics Ltd
• Kim Driver Training Ltd
• Qualitas Healthcare
• Thames Valley Police (re-signing)

After the formal programme, guests enjoyed a hot meal, sponsored by SERFCA and Quick Mortgages, and had the opportunity to tour the Thames Valley Police Museum. There was also an opportunity to ‘meet the troops’ from Reserve Units from Headquarter Company, 7th Battalion The Rifles, 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers from the Royal County of Berkshire Army Cadet Force who all provided information stands.