HISTORY OF IPA
IPA - the biggest Police Association in the world with more than 372,000 members
The International Police Association is a friendship organization for members of the police force, whether in employment or retired, and without distinction as to rank, position, gender, race, language or religion. We have around 372,000 members in nearly 100 countries, of which 65 are affiliated National Sections, and we are represented on 6 continents.
Our motto is 'Servo per Amikeco' - Service Through Friendship'
We are a non-governmental organization, and our aims are to create and strengthen bonds of friendship between members of the police service, promote international cooperation in social, cultural and professional fields, encourage peaceful co-existence between peoples and preservation of world peace, improve the public image of the police service and enhance recognition of the IPA by international bodies.
The IPA is committed to the principles as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and is in Consultative (Special) Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and also is in Consultative Status with the Organization of American States and UNESCO.
A Brief History of the IPA
The International Police Association was formed Jan 1, 1950, because Arthur Troop, a police Sergeant from Lincolnshire, England, 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. The Esperanto Motto of the Association is SERVO PER AMIKECO which means "SERVICE THROUGH FRIENDSHIP". The United States Section was formed on February 26, 1962 in Toledo, Ohio, totaling 30 members and the Section was officially recognized in Geneva Switzerland at the IEC on June 1962.