International Police Association

[JohnKelly]

Servo per Amikeco - Service through Friendship. This is the motto of the International Police Association (IPA) which I have been a member for a number of years but have never really got involved in attending any meetings or functions etc.

The IPA appears to be strong in Europe, Ireland and the United Kingdom but I am not so sure about Canada, New Zealand or the US.

Are there any other Officer.Com members who are members of the IPA and if so, what benefits have you got from being a member of this international organisation and have you utilised any of the travel/accommodation/contact facilities?

Cheers,

John Kelly
Australia

[ukcop2]

John
I have been a member for nearly 4 years now. One of the reasons I joined was to get pen-pals and e-pals with police officers elsewhere in this big wide world. Sadly despite all the IPA say, I have had very little joy. I received letters from 2 officers in South Africa but all they wanted to do was swap their hat for my big helmet (ooo err).

I have not taken part in any meetings etc or done any travelling via the IPA so I can't comment on that part (but to be honest- I have looked at some IPA houses on the net and a lot seem very run down)
My overall impression in the UK is that they are a little outdated.

However, If I am wrong on any of this, due to my limited experience, then I stand corrected.

Cheers
:D
Uk

[sheriff3399]

I became an IPA member when i join the police. Only use once a travelform when i visit Canada. Works well for there. On my other holidays i couldn't use it because you have to send it in 6 weeks before you travel. I know 2 weeks before i leave where to go to. I used my IPApass in some other countries and that works to. We had 4 IPA houses in the country, two manors and two barracks. One of the manors is gone. Like UKcop said the houses are a little outdated, but they are cheap. Read some articles from fellow officers who had used some houses and they where very pleased with them. Don't know if that depend on the price. :D I only swap with an Irish officer, he asked for it in an IPA magazine.

[DetCognac]

I have enjoyed taking several Officers from UK , Aus, NZ around L.A....I still have to go someplace to be "shown" around. I went to the IPA picnic a few years ago and that was fun....I let my membership lapse and need to renew it....I am of to Jamaica in a week and will be bringing vests to donate to officers there...

This is my first post and I figured this is a good thread to start with.

[Sgt Lobster]

I'm not a member of the IPA, but going back 10 - 15 years I knew a number of officers who were. You also got IPA posters in the stations advertising their services which I haven't seen for years. To be honest can't think of anybody whose in it now; possibly because foreign travel is much cheaper, and we also have the internet.


Lobster.

[JohnKelly]

Hmmm, I get the picture from your replies and maybe the IPA, as it ponders it's future, ought to have a look at your responses.

Regards,

John Kelly
Australia

[Texzen]

I've been in IPA for maybe 12 years. I was traveling and was talking to one of the guys in London, asking directions. He told me that if I traveled, to join IPA. It's paid off.

I've had European IPA members stay in my home. I've stayed with IPA members in Europe. We're pretty thin in the southern US, IPA membership being more common in the northease and Florida (retired cops) and in California. But we're slowly growing in Texas.

Getting to Europe may be a bit cheaper these days, but staying and eating isn't particularly. The IPA Haus program is one of the big pluses for travelers.

http://www.ipa-houses.info/

So far, I havn't used the House system. I've always been taken in by IPA members.

[robeattie]

G'day John, (and Servo Per Amikeco)

I've been an IPA member for nearly twenty years. Like you, I don't attend a lot of meetings. I really didn't get a lot out of membership until about six years ago when I went to England on vacation (yes, I'm a yank). I had been exchanging email messages with a serving officer in Merseyside (Liverpool). He talked me into joining him and his family at a congress in Amsterdam. My wife and I followed him home from Amsterdam via ferry to his home in Merseyside where he hosted us for three days, then drove us to Edinburgh where we picked up a rental car. On that same trip, we met a Paris police officer who arranged low cost lodging for us and showed us Paris as only a police officer could. The same officer put us up in his home in Fougeres (France) for three days this April past. He and his wife spent their off days showing us all of the local sights. Also this past April we spent time with our Merseyside connection and two other couples in Nottingham whom we had hosted at our home in Missouri several years ago. And oh yes, in January 2001 we took a tour to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. We were treated royally by the IPA members in Sydney who hosted us at their monthly
luncheon meeting. So you see, my wife and I have had the pleasure of the acquaintance of a number of wonderful people we would have never met but for the IPA. I'm convinced that cops are cops, the world around. We share a magnificent camaraderie.

Bob Beattie
Lake Ozark, Missouri (USA)

[JohnKelly]

Thanks chaps for the positive input. It sounds as if you all got some benefit out of being a member of the IPA.

It is certainly a great network for police officers from around the world and it is there to be used, especially when it comes to travel.

I feel though that it is a two way street and it is up to all members of the IPA to play a part in hosting International LEO travellers.

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia

[andrewfox]

Hi John,

I would be interested in joining this organisation. Where do you get information on it?

[JohnKelly]

Originally posted by andrewfox
Hi John,

I would be interested in joining this organisation. Where do you get information on it?

Hello Andrew,

http://www.ipa-iac.org is the Website for the International Police Association. It's a bit cumbersome and takes some patience to get to the various sections but it is interesting to browse through the various countries that have Branches of the International Police Association.

http://www.ipa-australia.com will give you the details of the Australian IPA Sections.

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia

[JohnKelly]

G'day jnhdrac - I am also a member of the International Police Association.

Here are some other Posts on the subject.

Servo per Amikeco
Member 6498
Australia

[realluke]

John Kelly,

What a great web site im going to join the IPA thanks for the info.


Keep Safe,realluke