Benefits of FOP Membership
The Fraternal Order of Police is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with over 325,000 members in more than 2,100 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 difficulties faced by today’s police officers better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP. Here’s a quick overview of the wide variety of services and benefits that the FOP offers to its members.
Legislative Office
The FOP maintains an office on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where a full-time professional staff actively lobbies Congress and the administration on the issues most important to rank-and-file law enforcement officers. The National Legislative Program is the most active and comprehensive of any law enforcement organization in Washington, working on behalf of law enforcement officers to ensure that legislation is put into place to improve the lives of officers and their families.
Legal Defense Plan
The Fraternal Order of Police Legal Defense Plan, Inc. was created by the National FOP. This self-funded plan is available to eligible FOP groups and individual members to cover law enforcement exposures, including:
- Administrative, civil and criminal legal coverage: The Legal Defense Plan pays for legal defense of certain administrative, civil and criminal proceedings against plan participants. Legal defense coverage has become a necessity as the frequency and costs of allegations against peace officers continue to rise.
- H.R. 218 coverage: Legal defense coverage is provided to FOP active and retired officers for civil or criminal claims associated with H.R. 218. The annual coverage limit is $25,000 at a cost of $50 per participant. If you are currently a FOP Legal Defense Plan participant, coverage for H.R. 218 is automatically included.
- Moonlighting Liability Insurance Program: This coverage protects individual peace officers who perform extra-duty jobs. In addition to protecting the officer, coverage is extended to the nongovernmental entity that has contracted the officer’s services. By offering protection to the extra-duty employer, you have a distinct marketing advantage over other programs, which may not extend coverage to the hiring entity. Any peace officer who provides law enforcement services for nongovernmental entities needs this coverage. Coverage is subject to approval from your primary governmental employer.
Labor Services Division
Labor Services offers a comprehensive set of resources and services designed to ensure that no officer goes to the bargaining table alone. In addition, we provide assistance to your lodge to obtain the right to become your bargaining agent or to try to influence the public officials who determine your hours, wages, terms and other conditions of employment. Whether your department requires contract information, experienced legal experts, training seminars or personalized labor research, the Labor Services Division stands ready to provide the people and resources you need.
National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service
This solemn event, held every year on the U.S. Capitol Lawn in Washington, D.C., on May 15 during National Police Week, honors those who have given their lives in the line of duty and seeks to assuage the grief of families who have lost a loved one. Open to the public, it brings together the expanded law enforcement family: the survivors, officers and friends whom these heroes have left behind. Our national leaders — including the president of the United States, cabinet members, members of Congress and heads of various enforcement agencies — along with major recording artists join tens of thousands of officers to pay tribute to the fallen and to offer words of comfort to their surviving family members.
FOP Journal
Published four times a year, the FOP Journal is the official publication of the Grand Lodge. Each issue contains reports from the Executive Board and various committees, articles of interest from local lodges and updates on law enforcement labor issues, including progress on legislation from our advocacy center in Washington, D.C.
FOPConnect.com
The official online companion to the FOP Journal, the website is open only to members and features an archive of past and current issues of the Journal, expanded articles from the magazine, a product directory, regular sweepstakes, the ability to share your thoughts on articles with other FOP members, and a variety of e-newsletters featuring exclusive new content.
Education Services
The Education Services Committee is responsible for the development and implementation of professional law enforcement training programs and events. Our goal is to maintain the highest standard in providing quality education and excellence in training. We are committed to equipping law enforcement professionals with the necessary skills to enhance their career development and quality of life. In keeping with our continued commitment to effective labor services, the committee also seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex legislation impacting law enforcement officers — knowledge crucial to establishing protections from unfair labor practices. We have established a training schedule covering a wide spectrum of leadership, labor and legal issues. We also develop on-site custom training events on these and other topics as needed, upon request by either local or State Lodges. For members, local lodges or State Lodges that may not be in a financial position to afford training or other educational experiences, the Grand Lodge provides scholarships to eligible applicants.
National Fraternal Order of Police University (NFOPU)
Recognizing that four-year and graduate degrees are becoming increasingly important for law enforcement career advancement, the FOP collaborates with a select consortium of universities willing to offer members the education they need with a flexible schedule and reasonable cost. Since its inception in 2007, NFOPU has provided hundreds of FOP members with the opportunity to take courses that accommodate the unique requirements of a working law enforcement officer’s schedule.
Charity Partnerships
- Easter Seals: Helping children and adults with disabilities live better lives is at the heart of Easter Seals’ mission, and the FOP, as an Easter Seals National Corporate Partner, has helped raise funds for 33 years to support the more than one million people with disabilities and their families served by Easter Seals annually. As a result of this long-standing relationship, the FOP’s support for Easter Seals exceeds $15 million in money raised and services provided, making a difference in communities throughout the country. Donate to Easter Seals online at www.easterseals.com and make sure you indicate your FOP affiliation when donating!
- Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics: The FOP is committed to helping people with intellectual disabilities learn to achieve and become self-reliant and contributing members of our communities, and to ensuring that they are afforded the same dignity and respect that each of us enjoys and deserves. Please help us by reporting any fundraising events that your lodge has held or donations that your lodge has made to benefit the Torch Run.
Disaster Relief
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the Fraternal Order of Police Disaster Relief Fund, part of the NFOP Foundation, relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations and is constantly in need of a steady stream of funds. With our members spread throughout the U.S., Canada and Ireland, weather extremes and disasters are an ever-present danger. Tornados, hurricanes, floods, drought and fire inflict significant damage when they do occur, and we need to be prepared to assist our members in distress.
Service Providers
The National FOP list of service providers is currently under review by the Executive Board. Contracts are being finalized at this time. A sampling is listed here:
- Liberty Mutual: Get quality protection for your auto and home. Liberty Mutual is pleased to offer members of the FOP special savings and personalized coverage. Enjoy exceptional service your way: at a local office, by phone, online or via mobile device. We will help ensure that you, your family and your valuables are properly protected. (Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverages only. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Please consult a Liberty Mutual sales representative for additional information.)
- Car rental:
- Avis: For special Grand Lodge FOP member reservations, call (800) 331-1212. You will need to supply the Grand Lodge discount code available on the FOP website. Save additional money with coupons from MSTA Membership Department. Enroll in Avis Preferred Express program using the AWD# and save $50 on the yearly enrollment fee. A dedicated reservation link is available in the Members Only area of the FOP information system.
- Enterprise: A dedicated reservation link has been placed in the Members Only area of the FOP information system. In order to access your discounted rates, simply click the Enterprise logo and select the location and car you need.
- Halo: The National FOP merchandizer, Halo, has a variety of licensed products available to FOP members. Orders can be placed by calling (800) 251-3711, or through the FOP information system under the Products heading.
For more information on all of these programs, visit www.fop.net.
