IPA France celebrated its 70th anniversary with “Friendship Week” in 2023
IPA France marks its 70th anniversary with a week of activities across different regions in France
The French national section of the International Police Association – IPA France – commemorated its 7O years of existence this summer with a special “Friendship Week” event that took place in different regions across France. The commemoration brought together members of the international organisation from France and other countries.
A week-long celebration of friendship
IPA France’s 70th Anniversary “Friendship Week,” a week of meetings, cultural visits and what the organisation termed “fraternal moments” began in Port Bail-sur-Mer in the Manche area of Normandy. IPA members from France and other visiting countries were welcomed by the regional IPA group in the presence of a number of local authorities, including the director of public security for the Manche department, and thus opened the celebration.
After 4 days in the Manche region where the delegation of IFA members visited World War II D-Day beaches as well as the Mont Saint Michel monument, the group headed for the Centre region of France. They were greeted by local IPA members from the Indre et Loire area and joined by IPA members from Germany and Great Britain. The group then toured some of the region’s well-known Loire valley castles.
IPA France friendship week’s crowning event
The crowning 70th anniversary friendship week event took place in the Loire valley town of Amboise, near the famous Château Royal. IPA France’s president Thierry Larrouy, along with several members of IPA France’s national board, opened the evening’s festivities, which included a laser shooting range activity, dinner and a concert. They were joined by distinguished guests such as the mayor of Amboise and Colonel Ars, head of the Indre et Loire Gendarmerie.
“Friendship, so dear to the IPA, was not an empty word. The joy of all those involved in this event will remain our greatest memory, along with hundreds of photos and videos,” read the IPA France newsletter referring to the 70th anniversary commemoration.
IPA: The largest organisation of its kind
Founded by British police officer Arthur Troop in 1950, the International Police Association is the biggest organisation of its kind in the world. Boasting more than 372,000 members in nearly 100 countries, the association has 65 affiliated national sections throughout these countries.
A non-governmental organisation that aims to create and strengthen bonds of friendship between members of police forces from countries across the globe, as well as promote international cooperation in social, cultural and professional fields, the IPA is proud of its motto in Esperanto: “Servo per Amikeco,” or Service Through Friendship.
According to the IPA, the organisation is also committed to the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as adopted by the United Nations in 1948, and is in Consultative (Special) Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and also is in Consultative Status with the Organization of American States and UNESCO.
The France national section of the IPA was created in the 1950s and includes members of the country’s various police forces, including the national police, the Gendarmerie Nationale, the municipal police force, French customs agents, rail security general monitoring (SUGE) and the Parisian transport police body known as Sûreté RATP.
IPA France membership entitles members to benefit from meeting IPA members from around the world and allows them to welcome international members to France, as well as benefit from national and international sports competitions organised by the IPA, and special language exchange programmes for their children.
IPA France will be present at Milipol Paris 2023.
For more Industry News, click here.
