FOP, Lodge 118, Sterling Heights, Michigan
The Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 118 represents the men and women of the Sterling Heights, Michigan Police Department. Lodge 118 was chartered by the National Grand Lodge in March 1967, and exists to give the men and women of the Sterling Heights Police Department a unified voice. This voice will be used in a professional manner to further the interests of its members, provide meaningful communication with the City of Sterling Heights and the Sterling Heights Police Department Administrations. Lodge 118 also exists to give its members a venue in which to express their concerns and opinions on labor related issues.
History of the Fraternal Order of Police
The Fraternal Order of Police is a fraternal organization for
sworn police officers. It is the largest professional law enforcement
association in the United States, with some 2100 local chapters, or lodges, and
an estimated 321,000 members.
Martin Toole and Delbert Nagle, two Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania patrol officers,
founded the first lodge on May 14, 1915 to improve life and working conditions
for police. In the beginning, the organization was promoted for its social
benefits, but in many areas it also represents police as a collective bargaining
agent, in effect making it a labor union.
The Grand Lodge, the national organization, is based in Nashville, Tennessee. It
publicizes the activities and issues of the local lodges, lobbies Congress and
regulatory bodies on behalf of police interests, and offers resources such as
legal briefs and bargaining tips. It also sponsors various charities, memorials
for fallen officers, and support programs for spouses and family members of
police officers.
