Our History
Arthur Troop – Founder of the International Police Association
Arthur Troop, a former sergeant in the Lincolnshire Police, is remembered worldwide as the visionary who founded the International Police Association (IPA) in 1950. His belief in friendship and mutual understanding across borders inspired the IPA’s guiding motto: “Servo per Amikeco” – Service Through Friendship.
Originally trained as a mechanic and later in agriculture, Troop’s interest in people, cultures, and world affairs deepened after his studies in Russia and time serving in the Second World War. On joining the police service in 1936, he brought with him a strong commitment to fostering goodwill among law enforcement officers across nations.
Motivated by a desire to break down barriers and promote peace through personal and professional connections, Arthur Troop officially launched the IPA on 1 January 1950. What began as his personal vision is now a global network with over 360,000 members in more than 60 countries.
In recognition of his efforts, Troop received numerous honours, including the title of Honorary Life Member of the IPA and several international awards. His legacy lives on through the organisation’s ongoing mission to unite police officers through cultural, social, and professional exchange.
Name: Arthur Troop
Born: 15 December 1914, Lincoln, England
Died: 30 November 2000
IPA Timeline
Dec 1914
Arthur Troop is born
Arthur Troop was born on 15th December 1914, in Lincoln, England, where he spent his childhood and attended the local school. His working life began as a mechanic but quickly he found interest in other areas. He continued his education at Ruskin College, Oxford, and obtained a diploma in Economics and Social Sciences. During this time he also completed a 3-year study of Russian history. He was awarded a bursary to visit Moscow and Leningrad in 1934. Thereafter followed a 2-year study of agriculture at Avoncroft Agricultural College in the Vale of Evesham, Worcestershire.
Jun 1936
Arthur Troop joins the Police
On 19th June 1936 Arthur joined the Lincolnshire Police where he performed duties in various departments, but specialised in traffic. Shortly after the Second World War, Arthur set about the enormous task of founding a friendship organisation for police officers worldwide. He had always held great faith in people talking to each other rather than fighting, and believed in the positive qualities of friendship. At that time, however, he was regarded as eccentric, and experienced considerable opposition from his Police Chief and the Home Office.
1950
The IPA is founded
In the years 1948-49, Arthur Troop made contact with his police friends in both the UK and abroad. In 1949 he had an article published in the British Police Review under the pseudonym of ‘Aytee’. Following an amazing response, Arthur was convinced he should proceed, and the IPA was founded on 1st January 1950 under the Esperanto motto 'Servo per Amikeco' (Service Through Friendship). Arthur Troop became the first Secretary General of the British Section. His notion of an association with development of social, cultural and professional links amongst its members, in an environment free from distinction of rank, gender, race, language or religion, became a reality.
1955
1st IPA World Congress
With the help of early pioneers, Arthur Troop worked untiringly to encourage the founding of other National Sections. From small beginnings the IPA message quickly took hold and the formation of new Sections throughout the world became rapid. Soon there were sections in the majority of Western Europe. In 1955, at the first International Executive Committee meeting in Paris, Arthur Troop became the first International Secretary General, a post he held until he stood down in 1966 for personal reasons.
1961
First sections outside of Europe affiliated
On 16th March 1961 at the extraordinary World Congress held in Paris, the first sections outside of Europe - Canada and Hong Kong, were affiliated.
1965
Arthur Troop awarded British Empire Medal
After Arthur Troop had created what has become the world's largest police organisation, there was a change in the authorities’ view towards the International Police Association. In the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 1965, Arthur Troop was awarded the British Empire Medal for his work in founding the IPA, amongst others. He was later to receive many high awards from various countries. These included: an Honorary Doctorate from Canada; the Cross of Honour from the President of the Republic of Austria; and following the unveiling of the Arthur Troop statue on the great Plain of Hungary in 1998, he was presented with the ‘Golden Sword of Hungary’.
1969
IBZ Gimborn founded
Gimborn Castle, in Germany, houses the IPA's International Education and Conference Centre, and is widely referred to as the Flagship of the Association.
1982
First female PEB member elected
1982 saw the election of the first female IPA member to the PEB, the former name of the International Executive Board, Phyllis Nolan of IPA Section Ireland.
1987
International Administration Centre formed
In 1986, due to the increasing membership of the Association, the need for permanent staff was identified. It was recognised that it would be increasingly difficult to move the administration from Section to Section as had been the practice until then. As such, a permanent centre was established in the United Kingdom in 1987 at the headquarters building of Section UK.
1995
Arthur Troop awarded IPA World Police Prize
On retiring from the police service in 1966, Arthur Troop's desire to help others continued. He took up another career with the Lincolnshire Social Services Department, as a Home Visitor for the blind and again achieved national recognition for his charity work in providing Guide Dogs. Even during his later illness Arthur, along with his wife Marjorie, continued to run the Stamford Blind Club.
2000
Arthur Troop passes away
Association's 50th Anniversary World Congress, held in Bournemouth, UK, during May 2000. Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, attended the opening ceremony and paid tribute to "...the man from Lincolnshire, for ruthlessly pursuing the arduous task of establishing the International Police Association by Service through Friendship". Her Royal Highness went on to say "...Arthur Troop came through much adversity, isolation and disinterest from further up the ladder than we can ever realise".
2010
60th Anniversary Celebration
As part of the events programme to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the IPA, Section UK organised an Open Day at the Arthur Troop House in Nottingham, and the members of the International Administration Centre were pleased to open up the office to visitors.
2020
Today
Membership of the IPA is over 380,000. National Sections exist in 68 countries throughout the world, with more in the process of affiliation. We have witnessed the steady growth of what has become the undisputed major police organisation in the world, both in membership number and influence.
All-Russian Police Association IPA Timeline
The history of the All-Russian Police Association IPA began with the establishment of the Russian IPA Section in 1992. In 2007, the All-Russian Police Association became its successor. This timeline highlights key stages in international cooperation, the development of the regional network and the Association’s public initiatives.
28 March 1992
Establishment of the Russian IPA Section
The Russian IPA Section was established by police officers from nine regions of the Russian Federation. The founding conference of the Russian Section of the International Police Association was held in Moscow.
10 June 1994
Affiliation with the International Police Association
At the 24th IPA World Congress in Luxembourg, the Russian Section was affiliated with the International Police Association.
October 1996
International cooperation and registration
The Russian Section was granted observer status in the Standing Commission of the Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS Member Nations on Social Policy and Human Rights. Members of the Section took part for the first time in a seminar at the IPA International Education Centre at Gimborn Castle, Germany, where Russian Section rooms were opened. In December, the Section was registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.
April–July 1999
IPA international meetings
A meeting of the IPA Permanent Executive Bureau was held in Russia, together with a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. In July, the first meeting of Eastern European IPA Sections was organised in Latvia on the initiative of the Russian Section.
May 2002
Conference in Moscow
Moscow hosted the Central and Eastern European Countries Conference and a meeting of the IPA International Professional Commission.
2005
International exchange of children’s delegations
An exchange programme was launched for delegations of children of fallen law-enforcement officers from Russia and Israel.
March 2006
Police Brotherhood magazine
The first issue of the Police Brotherhood magazine was published.
25 August 2006
Agreement with the Council of Veterans
A cooperation agreement was signed between the Russian Council of Veterans of Internal Affairs Bodies and Internal Troops and the Russian Section of the International Police Association. The Orders and Medals “For Strengthening International Cooperation”, 1st and 2nd Class, were established.
2007
15th anniversary and development of the regional network
A commemorative event marking the 15th anniversary of the Russian IPA Section was held in Moscow. The 11th Conference of the Russian Section took place in Kazan, where new regional organisations were admitted to the Association. The Russian Section took part in the 34th IPA Conference in Hungary. In the same year, the All-Russian Police Association became the successor to the Russian IPA Section.
16–21 September 2008
IPA international conference in Moscow
Moscow hosted the 35th Conference of the IPA Executive Council, bringing together more than 500 serving and retired police officers from 60 countries. A Friendship Week was held in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The 5th Congress of the Russian IPA Section and the 2nd Conference of the All-Russian Police Association also took place. The Russian Section became part of the All-Russian Police Association, representing Russia’s interests in the IPA. New regional branches were admitted, and the Association’s activities came to cover 59 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
1 January 2009
Regional network and membership
As of 1 January 2009, the All-Russian Police Association had active regional organisations in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and more than 10,000 members.
May 2009
International motor rally and annual conference
Under the auspices of the IPA, the Chisinau–Kyiv–Moscow international motor rally was held to mark the 64th anniversary of Victory. The All-Russian Police Association and several IPA Sections took part. Smolensk hosted the annual reporting conference of the All-Russian Police Association IPA.
16–20 May 2012
Conferences in Pyatigorsk
Pyatigorsk hosted the reporting conference of the All-Russian Police Association IPA and the 13th IPA International Conference of Central and Eastern European Countries.
16–18 May 2013
Conference in Volgograd
Volgograd hosted the reporting conference of the All-Russian Police Association IPA. The Buryat, Nenets and Ryazan regional branches were admitted to the Association.
19–21 June 2014
Conference in Ufa
Ufa hosted the reporting conference of the All-Russian Police Association IPA. The Crimean and Sevastopol regional branches were admitted to the Association.
17–20 September 2015
International Conference of Black Sea Countries
Tula hosted the 3rd IPA International Conference of Black Sea Countries.
1–5 June 2016
International events for women police officers
Moscow hosted the 2nd International Forum of Women Police Officers, including a scientific and practical conference and a festival of professional and creative excellence. The 18th IPA International Conference of Mediterranean Countries also took place in Moscow.
June 2017
Conference of Northern European Countries
Moscow hosted the IPA International Conference of Northern European Countries.
7 September 2018
Annual conference in Ryazan
Ryazan hosted the annual conference of the All-Russian Police Association IPA.