NAPFM History
The NAPFM Event is organised by the Wiltshire Police on behalf of the UK Police Service. The rational behind the original seminar for Fleet Engineers was to provide a cost effective opportunity to share information and good practice; after 37 years that principle has not changed. The event has led to many developments that have resulted in closer collaboration between forces and organisations, as well as huge annual savings for the Police Service through the National Framework Agreements.
The event remains an invite only event for exhibitors, delegates and visitors to the exhibition. The event is widely recognised by the motor industry as one of the best Police & Emergency Service Transport Shows in Europe. The event is used by manufacturers and suppliers to network not only with delegates and visitors but with other exhibitors to share ideas and opportunities. For more than 13 years BMW have been bringing engineers from Germany to the event to ensure that their developments meet the needs of the British Police market.
Over the years the delegate base has expanded from the original 12 Police Fleet Engineers in 1973 to include managers and staff from Police, Fire, Ambulance, Ministry of Defence and Government Departments. The international delegate base continues to broaden; countries represented at the conference include Albania, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Cyprus, Finland, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Ireland, Singapore, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda and the USA; many returning on an annual basis.
History of the Police Fleet Conference & Exhibition and NAPFM
1972 |
At the Earls Court Motor Show - a small group of Police Officers and Fleet Engineers, including the Wiltshire’s Chief Superintendent Traffic and their Fleet Manager, happen to meet and the conversation turned to common problems. The Wiltshire Constabulary offered to host a Fleet Engineers Seminar. |
1973 |
First Fleet Engineers Seminar organised and hosted by Wiltshire for 12 Fleet Engineers at Police Headquarters, Devizes, Wiltshire. |
1974 |
The Seminar held annually at Devizes Police Headquarters. Speakers from the motor industry gradually introduced a small exhibition of the latest vehicles and equipment. Eventually it grew to 5,000 sq.m at Police Headquarters – using car parks, garage, sports hall and sports field. |
1986 |
Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) approved the setting up of the National Association of Police Fleet Managers Association (NAPFM) to provide professional advice and support to Chief Officers and the Police Service. The Wiltshire Constabulary hands over the chairmanship of the National Police Fleet Managers Conference to the NAPFM. The Association’s first Chairman was Dennis Hale, OBE, of the Metropolitan Police. |
2001 |
NAPFM Event loses its accommodation at Police Headquarters and outgrows the site. The event finds a new home for the next 7 years at Swindon - the Conference and delegates based at the De Vere Hotel Swindon, and the exhibition at the Science Museum airfield at Wroughton near Swindon. The exhibition area increased to over 13,000 square metres with over 350 vehicles on show. |
2004 |
The framework contract for the purchase of vehicles was further developed to pave the way for the standardisation of police vehicles. |
2008 |
The Science Museum decides that it cannot offer the event space for the exhibition and the event moves to Cheltenham Racecourse. The racecourse was to prove a good interim location whilst a search was made for an exhibition venue with good internal and external facilities.
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2009 |
The collaboration between the Emergency Services had been increasing for a number of years. The Emergency Services share many of the same of suppliers who exhibit at the NAPFM Event. A natural development was the introduced of an Ambulance Exhibition Area (Ambulex) organised by one of the exhibitors. |
2010 |
NAPFM Event moves to the Exec Exhibition Centre at Peterborough a new exhibition facility on the East of England Showground.
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