The Fraternal Order of Police was founded in 1915 in Pittsburgh, Penn., by two police officers. Since then it has grown into the nation's largest police organization with over 290,000 members in over 2,000 lodges in 49 states. Membership is open to all full-time law enforcement officers regardless of race, sex, creed, religion, or rank. The Grand Lodge is governed by trustees, representatives from each State Lodge, and an Executive Board, which is elected bi-annually at the National Conference. The Local Lodge is a fraternal organization made up of law enforcement officers from a given community.
Local lodges are independent bodies that conduct their own affairs.
Officers are elected and the constitution and by-laws are drafted and approved in conformity with the State and Grand lodges. Activities for each Local Lodge are innumerable. In addition, most also provide many benefits to members that individual law enforcement departments are unable to provide. Each Local Lodge elects trustees and delegates to represent their membership at State Board meetings and conferences. This ensures members have a far-reaching voice in FOP matters.