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The Fraternal Order of Police: the Voice of Law Enforcement Professionals
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."

Johnston County, North Carolina Lodge 88

Johnston County is one of the fastest growing counties in the old North State.  This rapid growth brings an onset of troubles and tribulations with it – one of which is a need for additional law enforcement personnel because of increased crime.  There was a distinct need to increase the efficiency of the law enforcement profession and thus more firmly establish the confidence of the public in the service dedicated to the protection of life and property. 

 

 

In November of 2005 the process of bringing the Fraternal Order of Police to Johnston County began with members of the Clayton Police Department.  With the support from Rocky Mount Lodge 46, Wake County Lodge 41 and the State Officers of the Fraternal Order of Police this vision came to reality on Monday, March 6, 2006 when the Johnston County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 88 was chartered.

 

"We pledge ourselves to promote the health and welfare of all Law Enforcement Officers and their immediate families; to raise and maintain the professional standards of the Law Enforcement; and to improve the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation.”

Lodge 88 serves the communities of Smithfield, Clayton, Selma, Benson, Kenly, Four Oaks, Pine Level, Princeton, Wilson's Mills, and Micro in addition to the members of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. 

We are proud to continue building on the traditions set fourth by the Grand Lodge of National Fraternal Order of Police in 1915 and the State Lodge of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police in 1972.  As Johnston County continues to grow, so to will the ranks of Lodge 88 and we look forward to working with the entire infrastructure of the Fraternal Order of Police in the State of North Carolina and across this great land we support and defend.

 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 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 321,000 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 foreward 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.

The FOP star logo,