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History of The Fraternal Order of Police The world would be a desolate place in which to live
if men did not have ideals, and did not endeavor to live up to them.
The Fraternal Order of Police came into being through the
idealism of a group of Policemen from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who
wished to weld together every police unit in the country in the bonds of
Fraternity and Friendship, to defend themselves and their interests when
attacked, and to enjoy the rights and privileges that others derive
through the medium of organization. The first meeting of the Policemen interested in a
police organization took place on May 14, 1915 in Pittsburgh.
At this meeting, a sort of Bill of Rights of the new organization
was drawn up. In 1916, the
Fraternal Order of Police became a reality, and was adopted as the title
for the new organization. The first Order was installed at Pittsburgh and the
name of Fort Pitt Lodge was adopted, and thus became the first or Mother
Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police. Soon there was another Lodge started at Scranton,
then at Wilkes-Barre, and then at Aliquippa and Philadelphia, until a
total of thirty-eight (38) lodges were formed.
By this time a State Lodge was organized. It was only a short time later that other states became
interested and started their own lodges such as Ohio, which has a total
of sixty-two (62) lodges, and then Indiana became interested, followed
by West Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, Oklahoma, and later Michigan. It soon became necessary to establish a National
Order of the Fraternal Order of Police.
In order to establish a closer fellowship and contact, state
lodges were formed. Then it
became necessary to hold meetings in order to enact an intelligent and
progressive program for the benefit of all.
Thus state and national conventions became a reality.
Membership in this national organization proved that a militant
police organization was the answer to the many problems that faced
Policemen from all parts of these United States of America. The many vast contributions that the Fraternal Order
of Police has made among various police groups in the improvement of the
professional, social, and economic standards, should be a source of
inspiration to every police officer, and you should join with us and our
order, where principles are basically altruistic. (Note to Police Officers:) You owe it to yourself, your family, your friends, your
community, and your profession to identify yourself with an organization
that was conceived solely for your benefit. |