The International Police Association (IPA) is a worldwide membership organisation for serving and retired police officers. Its aims have remained consistent since 1950 - to unite through friendship and professional understanding, any serving and retired police officer, without exception.
In Section UK, the membership comprises of police officers, members of the Special Constabulary, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), Scenes of Crimes Officers (SOCOs), or equivalent terminology, eg Investigating Officers, Identification Officers; and Members of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. The Section has a unique mixture of police personnel who are still serving, retired, or in some instances, who have voluntarily resigned from the police service.*
The IPA provides social activities at an individual or family level - trips, holidays, sporting events, competitions and exchange visits. The IPA also organises seminars on police related topics. The benefits of individual police participation are many - make new friends, learn about policing in other countries, cultures and professional practice, and receive help with travel and accommodation. For retired police officers, IPA offers another opportunity to stay in touch with former work colleagues.
*For details of who can join Section UK, go to www.ipa-uk.org/Join-Us