Course 122/08 I arrived at Heathrow airport on 5 Oct 2008 @ 0900hrs and it was there I met my first classmate. He is Badar from the Sultanate of Oman. We did a self-introduction and were told to also wait for another classmate, Lt. Col. Dr Abdulaziz Bin Dukhyill. Well this is it! The journey to the International Commander Program 122/08 begins.. It is truly an International course as the participants includes officers from various continents of the world such as the Asia (Singapore, Oman, Saudi Arabia), the North America (Bermuda, Bahamas) and Africa (Kenya, Ghana, Libya). All of us came from diversified backgrounds, with some heading the Homicide Squads, several are Commanders (Region or Training Schools), Head of Units and also a trained Doctor in the Forensic field. The week began with a welcome dinner at the Dining Hall hosted by our Course Director, Mr Simon Stevenson - glad we all figured our way there safely. This was followed by a quick familiarisation tour of the historic mansion in Bramshill, with introduction to some ghosts to spice up the otherwise confused look on all our faces. The first week of the course was a good mix of administrative matters and lesson proper. It includes briefings on the assignments for the course, tour of the library and some topics on Community Policing and Leadership to ease us into the program, bearing in mind that most of us are still suffering form jet-lag and also struggling to adapt to the unpredictable UK weather. True to the culture of wholesome learning in the UK, the class was also given an introduction of the sports facilities and organised trips were planned over the weekends as well. For the first week, we headed for Reading and the Blackbushe Sunday Market. Nine weeks more of learning journey ... Fanny Yuan - Singapore Course 123/08 Week one started off well with the first seven of the class, Martin, Basil, Kola, Mattan, Ralph and Charles all there in the main hall on Sunday night along with our classmates from course 122 for dinner followed by a tour of the mansion in the dark by Simon. He introduced us to all the ghosts but none of them made an appearance. Some of us later made out acquaintance with the Green Ride bar. At 09.00 the next morning, on a wet and blustery English Autumn day, the same crew were in class getting used to our surroundings. We were joined later that day by Habsi and introductions were given all round as well as introductions to and orientation from all the course staff. By Wednesday we were up to our full strength with the arrival of Omar, although on Friday it seemed like we had been joined by a new classmate when "the new Mattan" arrived in his new blue suit looking very dapper. The weekend was spent with trips to Reading and Blackbushe market enjoyed by all who partook. Martin Weekes - Bermuda
