IPA - HISTORY

The International Police Association was formed in January 1, 1950, because a police sergeant from Lincolnshire, England, Arthur Troop, wanted to create a channel for friendship and international co-operation among police officers. His notion of an Association with development of social, cultural and professional links among its members, in an environment free from discrimination of rank, sex, race, color, language or religion, became a reality, to promote friendship among Police Officers (Nationally and Internationally) on a proper organized basis.

The United States Section gained Section in Formation status on February 26, 1962 in a meeting in Toledo, Ohio, with the formation of Region 1 Buffalo, New York totaling 30 members and the Section was officially recognized in Geneva Switzerland at the IEC on June 1962. The United States Section now has 60 Regions totaling approximately 9,000 members.

The Esperanto Motto of the Association is SERVO PER AMIKECO which means "SERVICE THROUGH FRIENDSHIP".

The IPA is a non-profit, worldwide fraternal organization whose membership consists solely of active and retired law enforcement personnel Our organization is not connected with or influenced by any union, police or governmental agency or any outside interests. The association promotes global and cultural friendship among peace officers. Since this is an international organization, one of the major advantages relates to travel. The emphasis of the organization is friendship. There is an annual national, and an annual international convention.

All officers serve in their spare time and receive no compensation of any kind to do so. 

OUR BY-LAWS FORBID ANY PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS, UNIONISM OR DEPARTMENTAL MATTERS AND ANY DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RACE, SEX OR RELIGION IS FORBIDDEN.  

Any qualified law enforcement officer from a recognized federal, state or local agency active or retired is welcome.

Members are encouraged to host visitors in their homes, and to act as tour guides to visitors. While not a requisite for membership, such interaction provides the greatest benefits of membership.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION:

To unite in service and friendship all active and retired members of law enforcement service throughout the world in member countries. To encourage and stimulate a study of the public service and the maintenance of law and order. 

Such activity is encouraged through social, cultural, and allied activities. To arrange exchange, rest and recreational programs, communication, friendships, and study group visits.

To establish an educational program to meet the needs of the members through study outlines in approved law enforcement subjects.

The Association is controlled in each member country by a National Executive Council, which in turn is answerable to an International Executive Council, on which serve properly elected delegates representing such countries.

Countries are divided into Regions for administrative purposes. In the U.S.A. each Region has an Elected Executive Board consisting of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each Region also has a National Executive Council Representative. who represents the Region at National Meetings.

Members are entitled to wear the badge of the Association and are automatically placed in the Region governing the area in which they serve (members may have the option of joining the region in which they reside) and have full voting rights at regional meetings together with the right to speak and vote at Annual Open Meetings.

Membership now covers most countries of the free world and is steadily rising. It includes all ranks, from Officers to Chiefs and Commissioners of Police. Activities of the Association are in no way concerned with service matters for which purposes there are other bodies. Furthermore, the Association is a private organization which is not officially sponsored nor controlled by any governmental agency. All the work of the Association is carried out by its officers in off-duty time and without remuneration.

The IPA is an organization based strictly on idealism and friendship. Its uniqueness is demonstrated by never creating a rank-conscious atmosphere among its members.

MEMBER BENEFITS

New members receive a lapel pin, as well as a blue linen passport, upon which to affix a passport type photo. Each year upon paying annual dues a current dues stamp is issued to affix to the blue linen passport. This small blue linen passport is recognized world wide as official membership identification. If kept inside ones U.S.A. passport, it usually earns a friendly smile when traveling, and sometimes more.

Each member receives a copy of the quarterly National Reporter, and quarterly copy of their respective Region newsletter.

Every effort is made to put members who desire so in contact with members of the police profession in IPA member countries which includes participating in an exchange vacation program, either individually or as a member of a party. In many cases the exchange may give you the opportunity to stay in the home of a police officer in the country selected, and during visits abroad, members will have the opportunity of studying methods of policing in other countries, which members are able to engage in professional police relations throughout the world.

Members are able to contact other members with similar interest through the newsletters and a bureau designed for this purpose administered by a committee.

An International Children's Exchange Program may give your child or children the opportunity to spend some time in a foreign country in exchange for your hosting this child for and equal amount of time.