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Delegates from Australia, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and the UK are in Nairobi for the Friendship Week session.
The International Police Association (IPA) Section Kenya has partnered with the National Police Service to host the inaugural International Friendship Week.
IPA Kenya Secretary General Jared Ojuok said countries (sections) normally organise this kind of activity, which enables police officers and their families to travel to different countries to meet their colleagues in the spirit of friendship.
“As police officers, we want people to understand there is a very direct link between the way we manage our circle of friends, both locally and internationally and our professional and emotional well-being,” he said.
“We organized the event to unite our colleagues from around the world, fostering closer relationships and enhancing our networks.”
He added it aims to have professional interactions because when police officers unite, they fortify their social bonds and foster professional interactions.
They want also to build bonds and enhance the social and mental health of officers.
Inspector General of National Police Douglas Kanja said IPA to which the National Police Service of Kenya has been affiliated since 1961, has been a trusted partner in enhancing policing ideals by sponsoring trainings, participating in community outreach programs, and assisting police officers who are sick and those who are bereaved.
The IPA has also been involved in tree planting and environmental cleaning.
“This is a great privilege for us, considering that most of you have travelled a long distance to arrive here. I know that you will have the opportunity to interact with our officers and share experiences. Additionally, you will have made new friends and expanded your networks,” he said.
He told the delegation to take their time and tour the country.
Sergeant Arthur Troop founded the International Police Association (IPA) in England on January 1, 1950, with the Esperanto motto ‘Servo per Amikeco’ (Service Through Friendship).
The association has a membership of over 500,000 police officers, distributed in 71 countries.
The IPA has as its main objectives to create bonds of friendship and promote international cooperation, to develop cultural and social activities, to exchange professional experience, to preserve human rights and contribute to the peaceful coexistence of different nationalities and to contribute to the procreation of world peace.
It also aims to promote the respect of law and order among police officers, enhance the image of the police and assist police officers to improve the relations with the general public and contribute to a mutual understanding of mutual problems that police officers face on and off duty.