HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION

Sergeant Arthur Troop of the Lincolnshire Constabulary in the United Kingdom always wondered why there was not an organization of the Police Officers that united all Law Enforcement throughout the world under one common goal and fraternity.

On January 1, 1950 he founded what we know today as the INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION. The meaning of this organization quickly spread throughout the world forming individual sections as far away as Hong Kong nearly 10 years later. Officers of the organization communicate with each other with respect to visiting each other’s country and to exchange ideas in Law Enforcement. Police Officers are often an isolated or alienated group who benefit from sharing our common experience and perspective with each other. We enjoy participating in spirited activities, exchanges and comradely to be found at Regional and National functions of the organization. “Servo per Amikeco” is the motto of the Association. It is an Esperanto term which means “Service through Friendship”.

On December 3, 1960, the Canadian Section of the INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION was formed. A group of Buffalo, New York Police Officers heard about the organization and together they started the INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION in the United States. They became what we know today as Buffalo Region No. 1.

On May 17, 1965 a group of New York City Police Officers picked up on the idea and formed what we know today as New York City Region No. 2 of the INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION. We were incorporated in the State of New York in 1973 as a non-for-profit Fraternal Organization. The INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION has no political agenda and is a TRUE Fraternal Organization.

The New York City Region of the INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION today has 1,000 members. We are members of the COMMITTEE OF POLICE SOCIETIES OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT (COPS) and we are recognized by the Department as a Police Fraternal Organization.

The New York City Region of the INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION, commonly known as the ‘I.P.A.”, holds General Membership Meetings every other month, with the exception of the summer months. At each meeting, we provide a complete hot buffet and beer/soft drinks for our members for a nominal fee. We also put together a number of international excursions and many small trips during the year.

The I.P.A. today has 66 member nations with 400,000 members worldwide. There are 47 Regions in the United States Section, comprising a membership of nearly 6,000 Police Officers, active and retired.

The New York City Region can be contacted at the following address:

INTERNATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION
Region No. 2 New York City
David J Morales, Secretary
P.O. Box 804
Knickerbocker Station
New York City, New York 10002-0804