International Police Association (IPA) is the largest police organizations in the world with more 350,000 members from 72countries / regions. It was established by Mr. Arthur Troop, a police sergeant of Lincoln, UK, in 1950. It is an independent body composed of members from police service, whether serving or retired.
IPA Hong Kong Section was formally established in June 1960 by Mr. LI Fuk-ki, a police inspector of Royal Hong Kong Police Force. As at January 2020, the Section has exceeded 1,650 membership toll from regular, auxiliary and retired police.
We have also received Foreign Associate Membership from Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines police officers. We are also committed to promote IPA to other Asian countries.
Registration
IPA Hong Kong is neither a staff association of Hong Kong Police, nor organization under the Police Sports and Arts Council. It is registered under the Society Ordinance in Hong Kong with the President, Secretary General and Treasurer as the office bearers.
Objectives
The main purpose of the IPA is to promote friendship between the police officers of different countries. The main way we do this is by offering hospitality to overseas IPA members visiting Hong Kong. This takes many forms – assisting visitors with accommodation, inviting visitors for meals and drinks, accompanying them and assisting with sight-seeing and shopping, arranging visits to police stations or other police facilities, and so on. The other side of hospitality is making arrangements for our members who travel to other countries.
Executive Council
According to the IPA Constitution, the Executive Council (EC) is the managing authority to operate IPA Hong Kong Section. Apart from the office bears of President, Secretary General and Treasurer, other committee members assist the Section in organizing activities, receiving visitors, management of souvenirs and production of publicity materials. EC Meeting will be held on a regular basis.
Involvement at International Level
Every year, delegates from sections attend the World Congress held by hosting section to discuss the affairs of IPA. Besides, a scholarship in name of the Founder Arthur Troop will be awarded to selected sections on yearly basis to support members attending training at the training institution at Gimborn, Germany and other IPA supported training courses.
Activities in Hong Kong
Of course, we also arrange activities for our members in Hong Kong. We normally hold Spring Reception around the Lunar New Year, Annual Dinner to follow the Annual General Meeting in June, and Christmas Party in December. Occasionally, we organize social functions and charity events to enhance the internal communications of local members and demonstrate social responsibility of Hong Kong Police.
Travel Assistance
In line with the IPA Motto “Service Through Friendship”, we encourage members visiting other countries and meeting with overseas membership for cultural exchanges. Members can send a Travel Request Form via IPA Hong Kong to the Section of intended visit and request for advice on travel, accommodation, as well as visiting to police premises. Same protocol of hospitality also applies to overseas members visiting Hong Kong.
Finance
We rely on the membership fee to finance the operation of the section such as production of souvenirs for exchange and subsidy to members attending IPA local events. Subject to the financial situation and approval of the Executive Council, the section will also sponsor the expenses for members representing Hong Kong to attend conferences, seminars or other international events.
Forward
IPA Hong Kong will continue providing service to members to facilitate their visits and helping them to broaden their personal networking at International level. Besides, we will endeavor to take every opportunity to project positive image of Hong Kong Police to overseas members. Sharing session will also be arranged for different police units if foreign members visiting Hong Kong posses with expertise on specific profession and benefit to the Hong Kong Police.