Pittsburgh Police History
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 90 years ago lives on with more than 2,100 local lodges and more than 325,000 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 are proud professionals working on behalf of law enforcement officers from all ranks and levels of government.
History of the FOP Logo...
The emblem was designed in the summer of 1915, the year F.O.P. was started in Pittsburg, PA. It was designed by Delbert Nagle, originator of the F.O.P. and First Grand Lodge President, with the assistance of an artist Mr. H.J. Garvy. It was adopted by the National Fraternal Order of Police in 1917 and was designed to remind the membership of the duties expected of them as a citizen, a police officer, and a member of the lodge. The five-cornered star is a symbol of the authority with which we are entrusted. It is an honor the people we serve bestow upon us. They place their confidence and trust in us, serve them proudly. Midway between the points and center of the star is a blue field representative of the thin blue line between society and crime, formed by dedicated law enforcement officers for the protection of those we serve. The background is white, the unstained color representing the purity with which we should serve. We shall not let anything corrupt to be injected into our order. 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 our comfort. The double circle surrounding the star midway, symbolizes that members are bound in mutuality. The heraldic center, the Pittsburg Coat of Arms, reminds members where the Order originated. Within the half circle over the centerpiece is our motto, "Jus, Fides, Libertatum" which originally was thought to mean "Fairness, Justice and Equality". In the early 1920s it was discovered the word "Fairness" could not be translated from the motto so the translation became "Justice, Friendship, Equality". In 1967 Mrs. Esther Hayden of Cincinnati, Ohio, National Conductor of the Ladies Auxiliary, chaired a committee to update the Auxiliary ritual. While researching the motto she discovered the words had been translated incorrectly. The direct translation did not fit the message the F.O.P. was trying to convey. They did not want to change the motto because it was on all stationary and merchandise. An appropriate translation that conveyed an appropriate translation was "Law is a Safeguard of Freedom". This was adopted by unanimous vote of the National Board on August 19th 1968 and is the current official motto.
History of the FOPA...
What Is the Fraternal Order of Police Associates (FOPA)?
The FOPA is a civilian
affiliate of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Our members are friends
and families of law enforcement Officers, responsible and respected business
persons, professional men and women, and citizens from all walks of life—people
willing to devote a portion of their time and efforts toward assisting the
various law enforcement agencies of our communities, states and nation.
The FOPA is part of a national organization known as the Grand Lodge Fraternal
Order of Police Associates with local Lodges throughout the nation. The
GLFOPA is a non-stock charitable corporation as defined by Section 501(c)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code. Lodges that are members of the GLFOPA are
entitled to share the tax exempt status. Any contributions made to those
Lodges are tax exempt. The corporation is a non-partisan organization without
regard to race, creed, color or religious belief.
The FOPA's interests revolve around law enforcement and the men and women
that have dedicated their lives to the protection of ours.
The FOPA actively supports legislation, charitable causes, and all law enforcement
efforts on a local, state and national level.
Goals of the FOPA
The FOPA is an organization formed for the purpose of increasing our understanding
of the rights, duties and problems of law enforcement officers; of fostering
respect for them; and of bettering conditions under which they serve society.
We accomplish this through public relations, as well as legislative and educational
efforts. It is our aim and objective to support law enforcement throughout
our country in every way possible. We believe that Law is the safeguard to
freedom, and it is our duty to defend it.
National History of the FOPA
The Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police Associates was formed on August
27, 1967; organized on August 10, 1073; incorporated on March 21, 2005; and
received its tax exempt ruling on
April 13, 2006.
Nationally, we are a proud corporate sponsor of Easter Seals, actively involved
in legislation, and supportive of all Law Enforcement programs.
Functions and Activities of the Associate Lodges of the FOPA
Associate Lodges work to assist their parent Lodge. They provide law enforcement
agencies with dedicated public support.
Many Associate Lodges present scholarships to dependents of law enforcement
officers and Associate members.
Associate Lodges donate funds to officers in need or distress, provide funds
for various law enforcement needs and youth programs, and present awards
to recognize outstanding and dedicated law enforcement officers and Associate
members.
Associate Lodges hold joint social functions enjoyed by members, family,
and friends.
Benefits of the FOPA
Membership in the Grand Lodge FOPA entitles you to the following benefits:
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National fraternalism with our law enforcement family.
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Professional membership cards, decals, and emblems which are recognized nationally.
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Recognition of outstanding achievements through various awards programs.
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The opportunity to attend and vote at State and National Conferences.
Do You Believe...
...in a better State, Community, and Country?
...in professional Law Enforcement?
...in protection for your family, home and business?
...in a united effort to safeguard freedom?
If you answered YES, you are a candidate for membership in the FOPA!