History of the IPA in Trinidad & Tobago

The Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Associate Region was established as a  Chapter of the United States Section in 2000, and officially granted  Foreign Associate Member (FAM) status in April 2002. Police Sergeant Francis Biput is credited with bringing the IPA to Trinidad & Tobago. The Region has over  one hundred (100) members comprising serving and or retired officers  from the following law enforcement agencies in Trinidad and Tobago: 

• Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) 
• Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service (TTMPS) 
• Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service 
• Special Reserve Police (SRP) 
• Customs and Excise Division 
• Immigration Division 
• Transit Police Unit (TPU) 
• Immigration Detention Center (IDC) 
• Parliamentary Police Unit (PPU) 
• Praedial Larceny Squad (PLS) 
• Traffic Warden Division (TWD) 
• Supplemental Police from the Public Service, State Enterprises and the Private Sector 

Also included on our membership roll are specially approved civilians  who hold Honourary Membership status. While Honourary members cannot  vote or hold office, they are invaluable resources in the continued  development of the Association. 

The local body maintains  a philosophy of quality over quantity in recruitment standards and  continues to attract Trinidad and Tobago’s finest. In keeping with the  Motto of the IPA, the local body hosts a number of social events  annually, receiving tremendous support from members, their spouses and  corporate organizations.  

The Trinidad and Tobago  Foreign Associate Region has also hosted members from the United States,  United Kingdom, Canada, France, Brazil, Colombia and Germany in the  past and been hosted by foreign members as well. These types of social,  cultural and professional exchanges are certainly a credit to the  Association.  

In July 2012, the popular song “When We Stand Together” by the group  “Nickelback” was adopted as the theme song for the Association.  This  followed support from the membership on the suitability of the song  after they were afforded the opportunity to listen to and view a video  of the song.