United Nations building

The International Police Association is an independent body made up of members of the police service, whether on active duty or retired, and without distinction as to rank, sex, race, colour, language or religion. It's purpose is to create bonds of friendship and to promote international co-operation.

It is committed to the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and recognises that any form of torture is absolutely inconsistent with these principles. It's aims include the development of cultural relations amongst it's members, a broadening of their general knowledge and an exchange of professional experience. In addition, it seeks to foster mutual help in the social sphere and to contribute, within the limits of it's possibilities, to the peaceful co-existence of different peoples and to the preservation of world peace. 

• to encourage personal contacts by organising exchange visits of individuals and groups, arranging group holidays and initiating pen-friendships;
  

• to promote among the police services of all the member Sections respect for law and order;
  

• to develop social and cultural activities and to encourage the exchange of professional experiences;
   

• to enhance the image of the police in the countries of it's member Sections and to help improve relations between the police and the general public;

• to foster youth exchanges and international youth meetings with a view to promoting greater tolerance and understanding between people, and understanding for the work of the police;
    

• to facilitate a regular exchange of publications between the National Sections and to provide an information service for the National IPA publications containing news on all subjects of relevance to the Association;
    

• to promote international publications, and to help with the preparation of a bibliography of police works and, wherever possible, of all works connected with the law or legal matters;
   

• to facilitate international co-operation through friendly contacts between police officers of all continents and to contribute to a mutual understanding of professional problems.

Members enjoying a Friendship Week hosted by Section Cyprus

Young people enjoying themselves at 2003 International Youth Gathering