About Us
The Fraternal Order of Police is the world's largest organization
of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 2,100 lodges and over
323,000 members. 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.
The FOP was founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in November of 1915. Since
that time it has expanded to 49 states with over 2100 lodges. The total
membership is just over 323,000. The organization is much like other fraternal
groups such as the Masons and the Elks, only it's exclusively for law enforcement
officers. The basic - and most important - unit is the local lodge. Any group
of 10 licensed law enforcement officers can charter a lodge. Each lodge meets
on a regular basis (usually monthly) and sets its own agenda and calendar. It
selects its own officers, and, in turn, sends representatives to the State Lodge.
The State Lodge, in turn, provides representation to the Grand (or National)
Lodge, and also sends delegates to the biennial national conference - the next
one is scheduled for Louisville, Kentucky, in August 2007. By utilizing this
system, the FOP is truly a grass roots organization - it is run by and for the
membership.
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Chester County, Pennsylvania - Lodge #11