To unite in service and friendship all active and retired members of law enforcement service throughout the world in member countries.

To encourage and stimulate a study of the public service and the maintenance of law and order. Such activity is encouraged through social, cultural, and allied activities.

To arrange exchange, rest and recreational programs, communication, friendships, and study group visits.

To establish an educational program to meet the needs of the members through study outlines in approved law enforcement subjects.

The Association is controlled in each member country by a National Executive Council, which in turn is answerable to an International Executive Council, on which serve properly elected delegates representing such countries.

Countries are divided into Regions for administrative purposes. In the U.S.A. each Region has an Elected Executive Board consisting of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each Region also has a National Executive Council Representative. who represents the Region at National Meetings.

Members are entitled to wear the badge of the Association and are automatically placed in the Region governing the area in which they serve (members may have the option of joining the region in which they reside) and have full voting rights at regional meetings together with the right to speak and vote at Annual Open Meetings.

Membership now covers most countries of the free world and is steadily rising. It includes all ranks, from Officers to Chiefs and Commissioners of Police. Activities of the Association are in no way concerned with service matters for which purposes there are other bodies. Furthermore, the Association is a private organization which is not officially sponsored nor controlled. All the work of the Association is carried out by its officers in off duty time and without remuneration.

The I.P.A. is an organization based strictly on idealism and friendship. Its uniqueness is demonstrated by never creating a rank conscious atmosphere among its members.