Online edition of Daily News

by Hemachandra Dias, National Secretary General, International Police Association - Sri Lanka Section

Lives of Great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of Time.
- (H.W. Long Fellow)

All men and women born on this planet do not enjoy the privilege of leaving their imprint in the sands of time, except of course an epitaph on their tomb. It is few who our able to shine, to stand out, during their lifetime and perhaps even after their demise most notably for their vision, wisdom and what they have achieved.

One such outstanding personality was the late Arthur Troop, the founder of the International Police Association based on the Motto "Servo Per Amikeco" (Service through friendship), popularly known worldwide as I.P.A.

The I.P.A. World Congress concluded on Norway’s Constitutional Day, Saturday May 17th. The Sri Lanka Section Secretary General (the writer) in Sri Lankan National Costume participated in the Citizens’ Parade through the city streets under I.P.A. banner with the other police officers of the world.

Former on January 1, 1950, I.P.A. today is the largest and only international police organisation in the world. In little over half a century this organisational tree has taken firm root and has spread its branches worldwide, from north to east, south to west, in more than 60 countries with an evergrowing membership.

It is prudent to travel back on the road of history to find out the origins of the I.P.A. and its founder. Arthur Troop was born on December 15, 1914 in Lincoln, England. Having had his childhood education, his professional life began firstly as a mechanic, but his thirst for higher education found him in a place at Ruskin College, Oxford, where he read for a Diploma in Economics and Social Science.

His keen interest to learn Russian History won him a Bursary to visit to Moscow and Leningrad in 1934. Thereafter he also followed a two-year study course of agriculture at Avoncroft Agricultural College in the Vale of Evesham, Worcestershire. The turning point in his life as well as the international police service was the day he joined the Lincolnshire Police on June 19, 1936.

The 17th I.P.A. World Congress held in Norway hosted by the Viking City of Trondheim was well represented by the Sri Lanka Section with the Secretary General and three other members Asela Dassanayake Retd. S.S.P., K. Arasaratnam, A.S.P., Shantha Samarawickrama, Police Sgt.

Having performed police duties in various departments, he specialised in traffic duties until he retired. World War II saw many changes in the international arena, where friends became foes and foes became friends. It was at this decisive juncture that Arthur Troop, blessed with an abundance of human values, had the foresight to form an organisation to cater to police services the world over.

His deep contemplation through conviction for world peace through friendship resulted in the birth of the International Police Association. His undertaking of the enormous task of forming a world organisation in the form of the International Police Association amply exhibited a great faith in people. For Troop, talking to each other, rather than fighting, had always been a positive quality of friendship.

However, his vision, wisdom, and ambition did not sail smoothly. He was branded an eccentric and had to undergo considerable opposition from his police chief and the home office. Nevertheless his far-sighted vision paid rich dividends.

All these obstacles did not hinder his determination but made him march even harder towards his goal. In 1948, 1949 he did the groundwork by contacting police friends at home and abroad and wrote many articles under the pseudonym "Aytee".

The ready response of the police officers gave him the strength and the energy to go ahead with his conviction and the IPA was formed, with the noble motto" Servo Per Amikeco" (Service through friendship).

The IPA is committed to the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1984. Its aims include the development of cultural relations amongst its members, broadening general knowledge, exchange of professional experience to foster mutual assistance in the social sphere, to contribute to the peaceful co-existence of different people world over, and to the preservation of world peace.

* To encourage personal contacts by organising exchange visits of individuals and groups, arranging group holidays and initiating friendly relationships amongst the many members of the association.

* To promote amongst the police service of all ranks of all members, sections to respect law and order of the country.

* To develop social and cultural activities and to encourage the exchange of professional experience. Besides the above, the IPA works towards enhancing the image of the police in member countries and towards improving relations between the police and the general public. It has its own youth exchange programmes and international youth meetings with a view to;

* to be in constant contact with member countries to facilitate a regular exchange of publications between the national sections and to provide an information network service for the national IPA publications containing news of all subjects of relevance to the association.

* To promote international and local media publications to help the preparation of a biography of police work and whenever possible of all works connected with law or legal matters; to work towards international co-operation through friendly contacts between police officers in service and the retired of all countries; and to contribute to a mutual understanding of professional problems confronting each section.

Troop was the first secretary general of the IPA of the British Section. His vision for the association to be free from religion, country, caste, creed or position with the aim of development of social, cultural and professional links amongst its members in an environment free from discrimination of rank, sex, colour, language or religion has become a reality. Over the years thanks to the efforts of the pioneers, IPA's message quietly took hold and sectional sectors were formed throughout the world fast and rapidly.

Within five years of its formation IPA's branches spread to Western Europe, Africa, America (North and South), Asia and Australia and at the first International Conference of the Executive Committee Meeting in Paris in 1955. Troop became the first International Secretary General.

He devoted his time and energy and saw to the progress and prosperity of his brainchild, the IPA, and after 16 years of distinguished service he stood down paving the way for others to take his mission far and wide to the corners of the world. The Sri Lanka Section was recognised in 1974 in Graz. It was not active in the early stages. Since of late however many senior officers in the department have felt the need to be in a professional organisation where its members are recognised worldwide.

This has resulted in Sri Lanka I.P.A. recording steady growth amongst many countries, and has made a name of itself as a keen and active participant in the international diary of the IPA events held in Sri Lanka and abroad. Day by day police personnel irrespective of rank or sex feel their membership in the I.P.A. is recognised and a privilege as they are interlinked with other I.P.A. members world over. Sri Lanka had hosted many significant events in the country such as get-togethers, friendship weeks, etc., and has had the honour of being guest invitees and observers in other countries irrespective of officers being in service or retired.

The IPA Sri Lanka Section is a vibrant and a dynamic organisation so much so since 1991 delegations from Sri Lanka attended all most all the Annual Meetings held in various countries.

Prior to the World Congress, Norway I.P.A. Section hosted few I.P.A. members for a Seminar on "Human Rights". Messrs Ranmal Kodituwakku, A.S.P., Lakshman Cooray, A.S.P., K. Arasarathnam, A.S.P., all serving Police Officers from Sri Lanka attended this Seminar. Messrs Ananda Hettiarachchi, S.S.P., Gamini Karunatilleke, S.S.P. will be attending the 50th Jubilee Celebration of the I.P.A. in Netherlands as their guests.

There is no need to emphasis the value of the IPA to the police personnel as it stands by its example. The Sri Lanka National Section is one of the leading sectors which is not second to any other country in contribution to the International Diary as the Sri Lanka National Section is conducting the 2nd Friendship Week from 3rd to 09th August, 2003 in an atmosphere of peace in the country. Though the event is in August the response to attend the friendship week is more than what was expected and bookings are pouring in day in and day out from various countries.

The friendship week is so arranged to coincide during the most colourful events in the country, the "Kandy Perahera" where the visiting members and spouses will have an undisturbed view of the march of hundreds of elephants in eye catching costumes with traditional Kandyan and oriental dancers performing.