In 1915, the life of a policeman was bleak. In
many communities they were forced to work 12 hour days, 365 days a year. Police
officers didn't 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 grievances 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 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.
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. The reprinted
book can be ordered by calling the Grand Lodge at 615.399.0900.
The emblem adopted by the National Fraternal Order of Police is 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 tends to remind
us of the allegiance we owe to our Flag and 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 protecting those we serve.
The points are of gold, which indicates the position under which we are now
serving. The background is white, the unstained color representing the purity
with which we should serve. We shall not let anything corrupt be injected into
our order. Therefore, our 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 our
comfort.
The circle surrounding the star midway indicates our never ending efforts to
promote the welfare and advancement of this order. Within the half circle over
the centerpiece is our motto, "Jus, Fides, Libertatum" which translated means, "Law
is a Safeguard of Freedom."
The FOP star logo, the FOP scroll logo, the name "Fraternal Order of Police" and
the name "FOP" are registered trademarks of the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of
Police. The use or reproduction of the FOP name or logo is forbidden without the
express written consent of the Grand Lodge Fraternal Order of Police.
Copyright @ 2009 Iredell County Fraternal Order of Police
Lodge #10
Webpage maintained by FOP member Officer Robert Beard
