History of the Fraternal Order of Police
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE I
In 1915, the life of a policeman was bleak. Prior to an early morning in the
Spring of 1915, policemen throughout the nation toiled daily under deplorable conditions
and had little optimism for improvement. In many communities they were forced
to work 12 hour days, 365 days a year. In an emergency, they could be called to
work additional hours, without any compensation. Police officers didn't like it and
were frustrated, but at this point in time there was little they could do to change
their working conditions; there were no organizations to make their voices heard
and no other means to make their grievances known. The necessity for change
and progress was at hand and the Fraternal Order of Police was about to be
born. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Fraternal Order of Police owes a great debt and an enormous amount of
gratitude to the courage and wisdom of two Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania patrol
officers, Martin Toole and Delbert Nagle. On a downtown corner in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania during the last week of an April morning in 1915, these two veteran
officers exchanged their thoughts and concerns that "if labor could organize,
shouldn't the police also find a way? Not as a labor union, but as an organization
for the 'social welfare' of all the police." They understood the "labor" philosophy
in that they must first organize police officers if they were to be successful in
improving life for themselves and their fellow police officers. Hence, the
Fraternal Order of Police was conceived.
Shortly after their morning conversation and during the first week of May,
1915, Officer Nagle drew up a petition for the "United Association of Police." The
petition stated: 'We the Undersigned Do Hereby Agree to Support and Maintain
the Above Entitled Association Until a Constitution is Duly Drawn and Officers
Chosen." In addition to the author, the petition bore the signatures of James
McCleary, John McDermott, Battle Keys, M.T. Corcoran, Frank T. Wolinski, Philip
A. McTighe, Meritt J. Murphy, and Jacob Hannes.
Officers Nagle, Toole and 21 others "who were willing to take a chance" met
on May 14, 1915, and held their first meeting on the morning of May 14, 1915 in the
Wabash Building of Pittsburgh. Some members were displeased with the name
of "United Association of Police" because "that name sounded too much like a
union, and union sounded too antagonistic." As a result, during the discussion,
Nagle made a motion that "this organization be known as the Fraternal Order of
Police," a motion which carried. On that day, the Fraternal Order of Police, Fort
Pitt Lodge #1, was formed.
Within a week, Officers Nagle, Toole, and Larkin sought support from Mayor
Joseph G. Armstrong of Pittsburgh. However, there was no mistaking their
intentions as they informed Mayor Armstrong that 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."
During this initial encounter between the Mayor and a committee from the FOP,
the members were cordially received by Mayor Armstrong. The FOP informed
the Mayor that a union was not the intention of the Order, and that "the word
strike is ruled out completely because we who are obligated to protect life and
property will see that obligation fulfilled regardless of all else." In conclusion, the
self-appointed committee related that if police organizations could span
throughout the entire state, "we could get many things through our legislation that
our council will not, or cannot give us."
Mayor Armstrong, having strong pro-labor leanings said, "I don't see a thing in
the world wrong with this. You'll have my hearty approval and full cooperation."
With his endorsement and support, the FOP spread rapidly through Pittsburgh,
and by mid-September membership had grown to just under 600. Subsequently,
Mayor Armstrong came to be known as "The Father of the Fraternal Order of
Police."
And so it began, a tradition of police officers representing police officers. The
Fraternal Order of Police was created 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."
In these early months of the Order, Nagle decided "we should have some
kind of an insignia, a button. ..through which brother members of the future could
identify each other even though they may be separated by many states." He
took his idea to artist, Mr. H.J. Garvey, whose sketch of the emblem was soon
adopted as the official sign of the FOP. Garvey's sketch, which was later
registered with the U.S. Patent Office in 1948, symbolizes authority, vigilance,
friendship, the bond of mutuality between members and the seal of Fort Pitt, in
remembrance of the Orders origination.
It is important to note that the emblem is also designed to remind the
membership of the duties that are expected of them as a citizen, a police officer
and a member of the lodge. The five-cornered star is a reminder of the allegiance
owed to the Flag and is a symbol of the authority with which police officers are
entrusted. It is an honor bestowed upon police officers by the community they
serve. The citizenry, for the most part, place their confidence and trust in police
officers; serve them proudly.
As illustrated previously, midway between the points and center of the star is a
blue field, representative of the thin blue line protecting those police officers
~ serve. The points are of gold, which indicates the position under which police
~ officers now serve. The background is white, the unstained color representing
the purity with which police officers should serve. Police officers shall not let
anything corrupt be injected into their order. Therefore, the FOP's colors are
blue, gold and white.
The open eye is the eye of vigilance; ever looking for danger and protecting all
those under its care while they sleep or while awake. The clasped hands denote
friendship. The hand of friendship is always extended to those in need of a police
officer's comfort.
The circle surrounding the star midway indicates police officers' never ending
efforts to promote the welfare and advancement of this order. Within the half
circle over the centerpiece is the FOP motto; "Jus, Fides, Libertatum" which
translated means, "Law is a Safeguard of Freedom." Originally, as understood
by Nagle, it stood for "Fairness, Justice, Equality."
Continuing on, by early 1917, membership in Pittsburgh grew to 1,800.
During that summer, Officers Nagle and Toole helped lead the expansion of the FOP
throughout their state. During October 15th through the 17th, the first National
Convention was held in Pittsburgh. At this inaugural gathering, the Grand Lodge
was established and charged with the authority of issuing charters to subordinate
lodges. A Constitution and Bylaws were drafted, and four members of lodges
other than Fort Pitt were added as officers of this first Grand Lodge.
With both the formation of the Grand Lodge and a secure foundation
established in Pennsylvania, the Order continued its expansion in the 1920's.
The FOP became strong in both Ohio and Indiana. By 1929, growth brought
about the need for a National Organizer. John Kuespert was elected as such on
August 15, 1929.
In the 1930's, three more states were added including West Virginia, Michigan,
and Kentucky. Expansion was not the only aspect of accomplishment in the
thirties. On August 29, 1933 the order passed "the most important resolution of
its first quarter century." The minutes read: "that a committee of five be
appointed to form state organizations."
By the time the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the FOP took place in 1940,
a Grand Lodge had come into existence, approximately 200 lodges had been chartered,
and twenty-three annual conventions held.
Though the FOP struggled along with the Nation during World War II, it not only
retained its existence, but "became recognized on Capitol Hill as the
Organization speaking for the Nation's Policemen."
In the 1940's and 50's the Order continued to expand with lodges in South
Dakota, Arizona, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Florida,
Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Alabama, and
Georgia. Not only did the FOP expand with new Lodges, but on September 19,
1941 a motion that "The Grand Lodge grant a charter to the Ladies" passed
unanimously. "The [I]adies" were those women who in accordance with their
motto of "[w]e do not let him walk alone," desired to begin a National Ladies
Auxiliary .
These years were filled with the FOP's engagements with issues such as
Legislative, Civil and Human Rights and "Public Consciousness."
Throughout the national tumult of the 1960's, the FOP continued expansion with
lodges in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. Although growth continued, the
Order experienced some unrest from sources like the Police Review Boards and
the Justice Department.
The members of the FOP persisted through these hardships as their brothers
had endured in the past. This tenacity that has prevailed since the Order's
conception led it to the height at which it stood in 1975. The evolution that began
with twenty-three men who sixty years earlier vowed "to continue to support this
organization come what may" unfolded until it spanned the nation with 1,100
lodges containing 140,000 members.
As the Order continued into the late seventies, its level of national recognition
continued to increase with the opening of an office, "just four blocks from the
White House and only ten blocks from the Capitol Hill." The FOP had truly
established itself in our nation's Capitol. The office would serve not only as "a
clearing house for FOP concerns from allover the country," but would fulfill the
need of "influencing national legislation and federal programs which affect the
police."
On September 29, 1976, the Order's accomplishments in Washington, D.C. were
extended on when President Gerald Ford signed into law H.R. 366, otherwise
known as the $50,000 Survivorship Bill or the Public Safety Officers' Benefit Act.
This law which was conceived fifteen years earlier at the 35th Biennial National
FOP Conference, "provides that the dependent of any police officer who dies of
an injury sustained in the line of duty will receive a lump sum of $50,000." The
law has since been amended and the benefit has increased to $250,000 with a
cost of living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index.
As the FOP came into a new decade, the national leadership turned to the theme
of "Return of the Fraternal Order of Police to the Membership." In an effort to
accomplish these goals regional workshops and seminars were developed
throughout the country in an effort to "spotlight the National FOP in a non-crisis
situation."
The Order continued into the eighties with many noteworthy achievements. With
the coming about of a new lodge in Washington D.C., membership continued to
increase until it reached 160,000 in 1982. Additional steps forward were taken in
our Nation's Capitol when the FOP Leadership became active on the National
Labor Advisory Council. The panel "was created to open doors of
communication between representatives of labor organizations" and "both
political parties."
As the FOP continued to develop as an organization, many legislative goals were
also fulfilled. In 1985 the Order held firm in its support of the Bill HR-4, which
regulates "the manufacture, importation, and the sale of armor-piercing
ammunition." It was the FOP's position that "what good comes of banning the
manufacture and importation if we can't prevent the sale of the 'cop killer'
ammunition." The eventual passage of the Bill was called "the biggest legislative
victory in years for our Law Enforcement."
As the Order approached the decade of the nineties, the Order consisted of
approximately 270,000 members. Through "the hard work of the Expansion
Committee, individual State Lodges, and increased exposure given the FOP by
the news media," this number has steadily increased.
Law enforcement is
a dangerous profession, and there is no legislation, act of Congress or
government regulation which will change this sobering fact. However, there are
ways to increase the level of personal safety for police officers. One of the
most important is the adoption of a bill which would enable qualified active and
retired law enforcement officers to carry their firearms when traveling outside
their home jurisdictions.
On January 7, 2003, Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), working with
the F.O.P., re-introduced H.R. 218, the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act of
2003." In the Senate, the companion bill, S. 253, was introduced by Senator Ben
Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), a former law enforcement officer, slong with the
Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Senators
Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) and Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT).
The legislation exempts all qualified active and retired law enforcement
officers from State and local prohibitions on the carrying of concealed weapons.
Under this legislation, active law enforcement officers will be permitted to
carry their weapon while traveling outside their own jurisdiction. Similarly,
retired officers will be able to carry in other jurisdictions, provided that
they meet, on an annual basis, the firearms qualifications for active officers
in the State in which they reside.
This is not a firearms issue--this legislation is about officer safety. And, on
September 11, 2001, it became a critical public safety and homeland security
issue as well.
Law enforcement officers are a dedicated and trained body of men and women, who,
unlike other professionals, are rarely "off-duty." When there is a threat to the
peace or to public safety, be it crime or terrorism, the police officer is sworn
to answer the call of duty. Officers who are traveling from one jurisdiction to
another do not leave their instincts, skills, or training at home; but without
their firearm, that knowledge and training is rendered virtually useless. This
bill will provide the means for law enforcement officers to enforce the law and
keep the peace--enabling them to put to use that training and answer the call of
duty when the need arises.
Law enforcement is a profession, and professionals fill its ranks. Among the
many tools of the professional law enforcement officer are the badge and the
gun. The badge symbolizes the officer's authority and, in worst-case scenarios,
the gun enforces that authority. These tools are given to the officer in trust
by the public to enforce the peace and fight crime. In asking Congress to pass
this legislation, we seek a measured extension of that trust. In certain
emergency situations--like a crime in progress, a terrorist attack or an assault
on the officer or his family--all the training and knowledge an officer
possesses may not be enough to interrupt that crime, respond appropriately to a
terrorist threat or even defend himself or his family. Without the tool of his
profession, the law enforcement officer is like a rescue diver without diving
gear: all the right training and talent to lend to an emergency situation, but
without the equipment to make that knowledge and training of any use.
The need for Federal legislation addressing this issue is clear, as is the
Constitutional authority of the Congress to grant "full faith and credit" to the
sworn law enforcement officers of any State or local government. The bewildering
patchwork of laws in the States and other jurisdictions often results in a
paradox for local, State and Federal law enforcement officers, sometimes placing
them in legal jeopardy. As just one example, many of the volunteer law
enforcement officers who gave of themselves to aid our nation in the aftermath
of 11 September may have been in violation of several State laws if they carried
their firearms into New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. or northern
Virginia. These men and women came to help their professional colleagues and
lend their expertise to an extraordinary situation--yet many may have broken the
law.
This legislation carefully defines who will and will not be able to carry under
this bill. Only employees of a government agency who are or were authorized by
law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation of crime,
or the prosecution or incarceration of any person for any violation of law, and
have or had statutory powers of arrest will be able to carry their firearms if
this legislation is enacted. Active officers must be authorized to carry a
firearm and meet the standards established by the agency which require the
employee to regularly qualify in the use of a firearm. Retired officers must
have retired in good standing from a government agency with at least fifteen
(15) years of service (unless separated from service due to injury) and have a
nonforfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan of the agency in
order to be considered "qualified." In addition, retired officers who wish to
carry under this bill must requalify with their firearm at their own expense
every twelve (12) months and meet the same firearm qualification standards as
active law enforcement officers in the State in which they reside.
These are individuals who have been trained and entrusted by their communities
with the use of firearms for the public good who chose law enforcement as their
profession, not a hobby. These men and women are more than qualified and more
than worthy of the measured extension of the trust that this legislation would
provide.
This is not a controversial piece of legislation. In 1999, nearly identical
language was overwhelmingly adopted by the House of Representatives on a 372-53
vote. Unfortunately, the underlying bill was defeated. Last year, this
legislation garnered two hundred and sixty-nine (269) cosponsors in the House
and forty-one (41) in the Senate. The Senate bill, which was then S. 2480, was
amended and favorably reported by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary in
November 2002. Both H.R. 218 and S. 253 reflect the minor changes made by that
Committee.
It is an increasingly dangerous world that the men and women wearing the badge
are asked to patrol, especially now, with the increased threat of terrorism.
After dropping for nearly a decade, violent crime is on the rise again. The
level and degree of violence in the crimes being committed is becoming almost
incomprehensible in terms of sheer brutality. Even more striking is the lack of
remorse with which this violence is committed. Law enforcement officers are
targets of criminals and of terrorists--in uniform and out; on duty and off;
active or retired. We need the ability to defend ourselves against the very
criminals that we pursue as part of our sworn duty, because the dangers inherent
to police work do not end with our shift. Criminals and terrorists do not give
up their weapons when they cross jurisdictional boundaries, and neither should
America's law enforcement officers.
On July 22nd 2004, President George W. Bush signed H.R. 218, the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act,” into law. The Act, now Public Law 108-277, went into effect immediately.
The bill exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from local and State prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms.
The Fraternal
Order of Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement
officers, with more than 321,000 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 the difficulties faced by today's police officers
better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the
FOP.
Founded in 1915, we are still "Building on a Proud Tradition."
IThe information contained herein was obtained from a book entitled "The Fraternal Order of Police, 1915-1976: A History" by Justin E. Walsh, Ph.D., was first published in 1977 and from numerous FOP websites. The book was reprinted in 200 I with a new foreword by Past National President Gilbert Gallegos. The reprinted book is available to FOP members by calling the Grand Lodge at 615.399.0900. The Library of Congress Catalog Card Number is 77-89730.