Our History

Arthur Troop – Founder of the International Police Association

Name: Arthur Troop
Born: 15 December 1914, Lincoln, England
Died: 30 November 2000

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.

Dec 1914

Arthur Troop is born

Arthur Troop was born on 15^th 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 19^th 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 1^st 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

In spite of his serious ill-health, Arthur prepared himself for the 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.

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