Any police officer can join the International Police Association (IPA) at any time in their career - as long as they are serving or retired on full or medical pension. The IPA is also open to others who are employed, or have been employed, in the police service. (See Join Us for full details).
IPA is autonomous and does not involve itself in political or welfare issues. Members leave that to the excellent staff associations who address the concerns of specific groups. Instead, IPA members' main focus is on creating friendship across all groups.
Once membership is confirmed, the member and their immediate family have access to the network of other IPA members and their families - throughout the UK and overseas. The network opens up opportunities for friendships at different levels.
A member may just want some simple advice relating to a trip, or perhaps some local assistance: participation in events organised at a local level, e.g. branch trips overseas, sporting competitions, pub evenings, to name a few are popular activities. Members may be interested in contacting someone with similar interests - whether it's a hobby or a professional subject. Offering friendship proves to be a most enjoyable and rewarding experience for the vast majority of members.
Section UK's website and magazine 'Police World' keeps members informed of what's happening currently in the Section and across the IPA world. The 'members' only' section of the site gives direct access to members, information about discounts and other IPA membership benefits.
The worldwide IPA is a growing and outward looking organisation. As a non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), it has achieved Consultative Status (Special) with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It is in Consultative Status with the Council of Europe and the Organisation of American States. It is an International NGO maintaining operational relations within UNESCO and Europol.
Seminars on police related themes, organised in close cooperation with the international and national bodies of IPA, take place throughout the world and in particular at the IPA's own conference centre - IBZ Schloss Gimborn in Germany. The Association's growing facility of IPA Houses is unmatched in terms of reasonable priced accommodation for IPA members.
'As the world's largest independent police membership organisation, the International Police Association (IPA) unites through friendship and professional understanding, any serving and retired police officer, without exception'