What is IPA?
The International Police Association (IPA) is a voluntary, non-profit and non-governmental organisation, made up of serving and retired officers from various police services around the world.
The International Police Association was founded on 1 January 1950.
The organisation’s motto, “Servo per Amikeco” (in Esperanto: Service through Friendship), unites thousands of people around the world. The IPA runs more than 70 IPA Houses in over 20 countries; it organises conferences, seminars, personnel exchanges, cultural, social and educational events.
The informal headquarters and educational centre for the IPA is located in Gimborn Castle, North-Rhine Westphalia in Germany.
Click here to visit the IBZ Schloss Gimborn Facebook page
Arthur Troop 1914 – 2000
Arthur Troop was born on December 15, 1914. He joined the Lincolnshire Constabulary on June 19, 1936. He married Marjorie. They had two sons, Barry and Kevin, and a daughter, Susan. He retired in 1966. Arthur died from cancer on November 30, 2000, aged 85 years. May he rest in peace.
That might have been his obituary, if he had been an ordinary policeman. But Arthur certainly was not ordinary. He had a dream. A dream born from the most destructive world war ever known; a dream spurred on by the chaotic aftermath of a world still reeking with suspicion and hostility, licking its wounds while preparing for another war. Friendship was a forgotten word in that sorry world.
Arthur realised that the restoration of friendship would be the key that would unlock repressed brotherhood and understanding. So he wrote a few letters advocating the restoration lost art of pen-friendship and suggesting the exchange of holidays. Heartened by the response he set about putting a structure on his dream.
But then no man is a prophet in his own land especially if he is a lowly constable. Granted, his superintendent donated ten shillings but his chief constable ordered him to stand to attention in his office for 30 terrifying minutes. He was told “You are only a temporary sergeant, substantively a constable. You must hand over all papers to me so that what could be a great scheme would be handled properly”.
Arthur refused. Happily not all superior officers doubted Arthur’s competence and the International Police Association was born on January 1, 1950. The only thing ordinary about Arthur was his description in his IPA membership card, which stated that Arthur Troop was granted ordinary membership of the British Section on the 1st day of January, 1950 and was allocated membership number A.1.
Fifty years later, the Founder died. Arthur Troop, BEM, Austrian Cross of Honour, Golden Sword of Hungary, IPA Gold Medal and various other honours, including a statue in Hungary and a doctorate from Canada, may have died but his dream lives on in the hearts of 295,000 members in 62 countries. Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, representing Queen Elizabeth II of England and mourners from all over the world, including Section Ireland, attended the funeral of a practical dreamer. Long Live the Founder.
(Written by the late John McCormack, Editor IPA Guide, Ireland.)
The IPA Emblems
There are three versions of the emblem (logo): a crest and a roundel. They may only be reproduced in the correct copyright colours, except where they are reproduced in a single colour, which may be any colour, and nothing shall impinge upon or pass through them. Each Section has been supplied with the authorised colour codes and particulars may be obtained from the Secretary General.
The emblems (or logos) of the International Police Association are protected by international copyright under the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, 1886, are revised by several Conventions: Berlin (1908), Berne (1914), Rome (1928), Brussells (1948), Stockholm (1967) and the Paris Convention of 1971. This Convention was signed by 117 States, including Ireland, as parties to this Convention on January 11, 1996. The original Berne document is entitled International Protection of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights.
The copyright protection means that certain user of the work is lawful only with the authorisation of the owner of the copyright. As the Founder, Arthur Troop, designed the logos, he was deemed to be the owner of the copyright. The Founder has transferred his rights to the PEB and IPA Sections. The PEB has authorised their use by Regions and Branches of the Association. This authorisation permits the use of the emblems on publications, letter headings, badges, plaques and other items sold by or presented on behalf of the International Police Association (IPA). The original letter of the Founder effecting the transfer and user is filed in the archives at the International Administrative Centre (IAC) in Nottingham.
Click here to see the IPA emblem designed by Arthur Troop
Click here to read Arthur Troop’s letter
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