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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

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 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 1955, the idea of a National Organization of Police Officers came about. Today, the tradition that was first envisioned over 85 years ago lives on with more than 2,000 local lodges and 299,000 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.
 

©1997-2006 Fraternal Order of Police, Grand Lodge

Missouri's FOP Beginning

On November 9, 1973 a group of officers met at 215 S. Lynn in Independence, MO, which was the Lodge hall for Independence Lodge #1, in order to charter the Missouri State Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge. Brother Chuck Harris was a member of Lodge #1 as well as the National Trustee. He swore in the following officers and our lodge was born.

• President - Brother James (Bob) Wingate, Lodge #1, Independence,

• Vice-President - Brother Steven Rogers, Lodge # 4, Grandview

• Secretary - Sister Sylvia Bradley, Lodge #1, Independence

• Guard - Brother Ronald VanBrunt, Lodge #4, Grandview

Our archives show no mention of a Treasurer or any other officers. The Per Capita Tax at that time was $1.00 per member per year. From these humble beginnings we have grown to be a powerful force in the state of Missouri for all law enforcement officers in the state. 

ABOUT THE FOP STAR

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.