A Voice Across America

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest and most commanding voice on behalf of out nation's law enforcement officers. Our proud organization was founded in 1915 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its main goal was to improve the working conditions of police there who were working 12 hour shifts, 365 days a year. Since then, it has grown to nearly 2,000 local lodges with almost 270,000 members across our great land. From Massachusetts to California, from Florida to Minnesota, members of FOP are speaking out on behalf of their fellow officers--the men and women who serve our communities and protect our nation's freedoms. No one knows the dangers and difficulties faced by police officers in today's society better than another police officer. For this reason, the FOP is proud of its tradition of "Police Representing Police." This is also the reason that more labor contracts are negotiated by FOP lodges than any other professional police association.

A Voice in Washington

The FOP opened its Washington office in 1976 and purchased its own building in 1992. This office serves as the base for the FOP's Washington lobbying efforts. The Fraternal Order of Police is a respected voice in Washington and is frequently called upon as a resource for both the Congress and the White House on matters of concern to law enforcement.

A Voice for Education

The Fraternal Order of Police maintains an aggressive schedule of seminars aimed at keeping its members up-to-date on the latest advances in bargaining, employee relations and representation. In addition, the FOP has initiated a series of professional development seminars. The FOP continues to be the leader in futhering the belief in law enforcement as a profession.

The FOP Stays in Touch

The Fraternal Order of Police keeps its members informed about lodge activities and about a broad range of topics related to law enforcement issues. Keeping members informed is a priority of the Grand Lodge.

The Journal, the Fraternal Order of Police's award winning magazine, is published quarterly for every member and includes the latest news from Fraternal Order of Police board members and committees. Also included are informative articles about local success stories, the latest police labor topics of national interest and news of upcoming events and seminars.

The Newswatch is published monthly and provided to lodge leaders to keep them updated on the latest news. It features articles by Fraternal Order of Police board members, the "Washington Report," by the executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police's Washington office and requests from across the nation for assisstance or information.

Labor & Law Notes is published quarterly and provides news regarding the latest court decisions affecting police labor issues, as well as, the results od Fraternal Order of Police wage and benefit surveys.

FOPnet is the Fraternal Order of Police's nationwide network of computer bulletin boards and the Grand Lodge's entry into the age of computer communications. This network of local Fraternal Order of Police bulletin boards allows members the ability to instantly leave E-mail, post requests for information of all types and discuss a wide range of law enforcement related topics. The FOP is commited to the technology of the future in order to provide the best service for our members.

A Voice of Fraternalism

The Fraternal Order of Police provides members with opportunities to meet fellow officers away from the job to encourage friendships and networking. The FOP is a family, there to assist fellow members in hard times and to share their joys in good times. With the FOP, you've got a friend across America. FOP lodges take part in charities and civic events. The Grand Lodge, through hard work of many lodges, has become a leading contributor to Easter Seals. The FOP believes that building community support for law enforcement makes both our community and our poilce officers safer.

A Voice of Fairness - FOP Legal Defense Plan

Former FOP National Counsel and U.S. Attorney General John Ruckleshaus put it best, "A nation's police are always vulnerable....Legal Defense has always been a necessary component of law enforcement...." As well as many state and local legal defense plans, the Grand Lodge offers individual Legal Defense Policies for the protection of FOP members. This is professional protection for law enforcment professionals.

A Voice for You

The FOP was founded and continues to operated a a democratic organization. You, the members, through your elected officers and your local lodge meeting, direct the efforts of the Fraternal Order of Police.

We have full-time staff members, but there are no high paid "executives." No other police association offers so much for so little. That is because you are the FOP.
Your voice and the voice of your fellow members is the Voice of the FOP.

That is our Tradition and our Future.

The National Headquarters, located in
Nashville TN. handles the administrative
needs of the lodges and members.