FOP Membership Benefits

National Lodge Membership Benefits

When you join a local lodge, you automatically become a member of the National FOP with a variety of advantages and benefits.

Biennial National Conferences
More than 3,000 officers from across the nation and from foreign affiliates attend National FOP conferences in odd-numbered years. During the week-long conference, members determine the organization's two-year goals, attend professional development seminars, view one of the world's best law enforcement trade shows, and form life-long professional friendships.
 

Legislative Advocacy
National maintains a legislative office in Washington, D.C. where a professional staff works with the National Legislative Committee to monitor and testify on federal law enforcement legislation. The FOP has introduced dozens of bills and amendments that have affected the law enforcement community.

National also sponsors an annual "Day on The Hill", when members from all states travel to Washington to participate in a face-to-face lobbying appointments with the Senate and Congressional leaders of their respective states.

Insurance Benefits
The National FOP offers group life insurance, legal defense, lodge liability insurance, dental and vision care, cancer care, disability income protection, and retirement programs. Check out www.fop.net for those benefits.

Seminars and Workshops
Throughout the year, seminars held in various parts of the country are conducted by professionals with knowledge and experience on police-related issues, including but not limited to: bargaining, employee relations, representation. Fraternal Order of Police is a nationwide organization.  The resources available to its members are much greater due to the area it represents.

National Peace Officers Memorial Day Service
Each year on May 15, the FOP honors officers who, in the previous year, have given their lives in the line of duty. Held in Washington, D.C., the event has attracted several U.S. Presidents as keynote speakers, and top-name entertainers as memorial singers. A week's worth of related activities occurs in Washington and across the country.

Publications
National publishes The Journal, a quarterly membership magazine; The Grand Lodge FOP Website is National's on-line communications vehicle. www.fop.net

Family & Community Social Events
Picnics, dinner-dances, group excursions, and seasonal activities are typical fraternal events shared with family and friends.

State Lodge Membership Benefits

Any member of a Massachusetts local lodge belongs automatically to the State and National Lodges.

Each local affiliate elects a trustee to represent home interests at the State Lodge level. Unlike other law enforcement organizations, any member of the Massachusetts FOP (not just trustees) may attend State Lodge conferences, which occur one time a year at varying locations. The State Executive Board and local trustees/delegates govern the State Lodge, but all individual members have a voice at state conferences.

Committees
To improve the profession and serve the public, the State Lodge is organized into numerous committees, including:

• Constitution & By-Laws
• Recruitment & Retention
• Legislative
• FOP Scholarship
• State Conference Site
• Compliance
  

State Conferences & Seminars
To determine its goals and to elect its officers, the State Lodge holds an Annual Conference for all local lodges and the State Executive Board. The State Conference is held every year at varying locations. (National Conferences are held in odd-numbered years in sites determined by the delegates.) We offer our members or outside sources to come and speak on issues and/or training which our members may not get at their department due to lack of funding from their departments.

Legislative Advocacy
The State Lodge Legislative Committee constantly monitors proposed state law that is pertinent to Massachusetts enforcement officers. The Grand Lodge FOP has introduced numerous new bills, and representatives frequently provide legislative testimony.

Charities
For many years, Massachusetts FOP has given to the Special Olympics, National Law Enforcement Memorial, Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial, officers and officers' families in need (due to illness or death), the Veterans of Foreign Wars, they send care packages to soldiers overseas to name a few. We have also volunteered our time to Easter Seals of Massachusetts.

Survivor's Fund for Fallen Officers. The Fund provides a generous one-time lump sum benefit given to the family of any slain Massachusetts FOP member killed in the line of duty. The benefit is provided immediately after the fatality.

FOP Scholarship Program
The Massachusetts FOP awards  annual scholarships based on scholastic merit, economic need, and the applicant's goal in life. The scholarships are awarded exclusively to FOP Members, FOP Family, and Non-FOP. These scholarships are specific to Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice degrees.
 

Massachusetts FOP Legal Defense
Long recognized as the premier plan for Massachusetts law enforcement officers, the FOP Legal Defense Program has been available since 1991. It applies to all criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings that arise from law enforcement activities. Benefits include unlimited legal fees, court costs, and transcript fees. The plan is modestly priced, with a discount for lodges whose members join at 100% participation.

Labor Assistance through the FOP
Though local lodges may conduct their own contract negotiations and mange their own grievances, State Lodge Labor Committee members--selected for their knowledge and experience in labor relations--are available to assist local lodges at the bargaining table and in court hearings.

The State Lodge also maintains a collection of recently completed labor contracts, which can be used as a comparative resource by local lodge negotiators.

Accidental Death Insurance
Is a paid benefit for you by the Massachusetts State Lodge. This benefit is for ALL members that are considered "in good standing" with the lodge....active and retired; on or off duty.

Local Lodge Membership Benefits

Since the "local beat" is the heart of the law enforcement profession, the FOP emphasizes community involvement.

On a professional level, local lodges represent either one particular law enforcement agency, or group of related agencies. Members elect their own officers, draft their own constitution and by-laws, and determine their own membership benefits.

Community Representation
Local lodges frequently sponsor both Law Enforcement related and non Law Enforcement related organizations.

Family & Community Social Events Picnics, dinner-dances, group excursions, and seasonal activities are typical fraternal events shared with family and friends.