About the Fraternal Order of Police:
The Fraternal Order of Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 355,000 members in more than 2,271 lodges. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. We are committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today's police officers better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP.
Mission Statement:
We, the law enforcement officers of the United States and of the several states and political subdivisions thereof, as representatives and delegates of state and subordinate lodges, do hereby associate the several lodges we represent and the members thereof for the following purposes: To support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the State of Florida; to inculcate loyalty and allegiance to the United States of America; to promote and foster the enforcement of law and order; to improve the individual and collective proficiency of our members in the performance of their duties; to encourage fraternal, educational, charitable and social activities among law enforcement officers; to advocate and strive for uniform application of the civil service merit system for appointment and promotion; to support the improvement of the standard of living and working conditions of the law enforcement profession through every legal and ethical means available; to create and maintain tradition of esprit de corps insuring fidelity to duty under all conditions and circumstances; to cultivate a spirit of fraternalism and mutual helpfulness among our members and the people we serve; to increase the efficiency of the law enforcement profession and thus more firmly to establish the confidence of the public in the service dedicated to the protection of life and property.
A History of the Fraternal Order of Police:
In 1915, the life of a policeman was bleak. In many communities, they were forced to work 12-hours days, 365 days a year. Police officers did not like it, but there was little they could do to change their working conditions. There were no organizations to make their voices heard; no other means to make their grievances known.
This soon changed, thanks to the courage and wisdom of two Pittsburgh patrol officers. Martin Toole and Delbert Nagle knew they must first organize police officers, like other labor interests if they were to be successful in making life better for themselves and their fellow police officers. They and 21 others "who were willing to take a chance" met on May 14, 1915, and held the first meeting of the Fraternal Order of Police. They formed Fort Pitt Lodge #1. They decided on this name due to the anti-union sentiment of the time. However, there was no mistaking their intentions. As they told their city mayor, Joe Armstrong, the FOP would be the means "to bring our aggrievances before the Mayor or Council and have many things adjusted that we are unable to present in any other way...we could get many things through our legislature that our Council will not, or cannot give us."
And so, it began, a tradition of police officers representing police officers. The Fraternal Order of Police was given life by two dedicated police officers determined to better their profession and those who choose to protect and serve our communities, our states, and our country. It was not long afterward that Mayor Armstrong was congratulating the Fraternal Order of Police for their "strong influence in the legislatures in various states,...their considerate and charitable efforts" on behalf of the officers in need and for the FOP's "efforts at increasing the public confidence toward the police to the benefit of the peace, as well as the public."
From that small beginning, the Fraternal Order of Police began growing steadily. In 1917, the idea of a National Organization of Police Officers came about. Today, the tradition that was first envisioned over 105 years ago lives on with more than 2,271 local lodges and more than 355,000 members in the United States. The Fraternal Order of Police has become the largest professional police organization in the country. The FOP continues to grow because we have been true to the tradition and continued to build on it. The Fraternal Order of Police is proud professionals working on behalf of law enforcement officers from all ranks and levels of government.
The Fraternal Order of Police, 1915-1976: A History
A book entitled "The Fraternal Order of Police, 1915-1976: A History" by Justin E. Walsh, Ph.D., was first published in 1977. The book was reprinted in 2001 with a new foreword by Past National President Gilbert Gallegos.
New History Book: The FOP History Committee is conducting research for a new history book. You can help!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is the Fraternal Order of Police?
A. The Fraternal Order of Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 355,000 members in more than 2,271 lodges. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. We are committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation.
Q. Does the Fraternal Order of Police solicit donations via the telephone?
A. The National Fraternal Order of Police does not conduct telephone solicitations. However, some State and local FOP lodges do. If you have a question about a telephone call you received requesting that you make a donation to the FOP, please contact the local FOP lodge, John Nelson Memorial Pasco Lodge 29, 4300 Land O Lakes Boulevard, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 (813) 388-9921 in your area https://www.pascofop.com/ or the FOP Florida State Lodge, 242 Office Plaza, Tallahassee, FL 32301
(800)-873-3671 www.floridastatefop.org/Home.asp.
Q. Am I eligible to join the Fraternal Order of Police?
A. If you are a regularly appointed or elected and full-time employed law enforcement officer of the United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, or any agency, then you can become a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. If you are a family member of a Fraternal Order of Police member you may join the FOP Auxiliary. If you are a supporter of Law Enforcement you may join the FOP Associates by accessing our website at https://www.pascofop.com/fop-auxiliary. Please contact your local Fraternal Order of Police lodge who will assist you through the membership process by visiting our website at https://www.pascofop.com/member.
Q. What services does the Fraternal Order of Police provide?
A. The Fraternal Order of Police is a full-service member representation organization. The membership of each local lodge determines the services that are provided by his/her local lodge. The members of each State Lodge determine what services are provided by the State Lodge. The National Fraternal Order of Police provides a wide variety of services.
Q. Who are the members of the Fraternal Order of Police?
A. The Fraternal Order of Police is comprised of more than 355,000 regularly appointed or elected and full-time employed law enforcement officers of the United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, or any agency.
The Fraternal Order of Police – John Nelson Memorial Pasco Lodge 29, 4300 Land O Lakes Boulevard, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 (813) 406-5611 Email: contact@pascofop.com
Provides Our Local Lodge Members, Their Families & Guest With:
Brotherhood & Sisterhood Fellowship
Social Events
Life Insurance, included in your dues (Standard Insurance)
Main Lodge with Bathrooms and Showers, Meeting Hall, Lounge
Recreation Room with Bathroom and Shower (Separate Building)
Unlimited Primitive Camping, 5 - RV Sites with Electric & Water, Fire Pit, Dump Station, Boat Ramp, Dock.
All situated on over 30 private acres on beautiful Bell Lake, Land O’ Lakes, FL where only members and their guests have access.
Lodge Meeting Days & Times:
Executive Board Meeting:
First Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM.
General Membership Meeting:
Third Thursday of every month with dinner starting at 6:30 PM and the meeting commencing at 7:00 PM.
Provides Our Local Lodge Members, Their Families & Guest and The Community with Bingo at The Lodge:
We hold Bingo at the Lodge every Tuesday with the doors opening at 4:30 PM, the early-bird game starts at 5:30 PM and regular Bingo starts at 6:00 PM.
Membership Dues:
Fraternal Active FOP Membership Dues: $295.00 Annually or $147.50 Bi-Annually or $73.75 Quarterly which can be paid through PayPal on our website, under membership dues. Legal/Labor Assistance & Representation through the Florida FOP Labor Council: $30.00 monthly for Legal Defense Plan and/or Labor (Payroll Deduction through PSO: $26.44 per pay X 26 pay periods = $687.44 yearly or Fraternal Membership Only $11.35 per pay X 26 pay periods)
FOP Representation:
Should you need a FOP Representative or involved in a critical incident, please contact Bill Lawless at (727) 657-7876 or have questions about the FOP in general, you can either call or email him at b.lawless@floridastatefop.org
