HISTORY

The “Broward County - Federal Law Enforcement - Lodge # 138”, was created during the month of April 1993, by twenty-two dedicated U.S. Customs Officers, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The officers were attempting to find an organization that would “protect their rights and concerns”, and represent law enforcement officers throughout the federal government.

They discovered such an organization, the “Fraternal Order of Police” and the brotherhood of law enforcement officers throughout the United States. The FOP consist of members from all levels of the government, federal, state, municipal and county. The “Fraternal Order of Police” is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States protecting the rights and concerns of over 300,000 officers.

With the creation of our federal FOP lodge, the “Fraternal Order of Police” has gain a greater understanding of the many difficulties facing federal law enforcement officers throughout the United States in today’s environment and culture.

Since 9/11, many changes have taken place to reorganize and develop a more proficient law enforcement oriented agency in the federal government. With the creation of the “Department of Homeland Security”, twenty-two federal agencies were consolidated under one command structure, with a cabinet level position created, the “Secretary” of the “Department of Homeland Security”.

The lodge has continued to grow in membership and strength throughout the State of Florida. We also maintain membership of federal officers in eight additional states. Our lodge consists of one hundred and forty members from twelve federal law enforcement agencies. We have members from the “Department of Homeland Security”, FBI, DEA, ATF, TSA, IRS, U.S Marshal’s Service, U.S. Postal Service, Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, U.S. Coast Guard and the Secret Service.

Our lodge has been active on both the political frontier and working within the community.

On the political front, our lodge officers have been actively pursuing the rights and concerns and benefits of all federal law enforcement officers throughout the United States. Over the past thirteen years, our lodge has taken an active role in assisting the “National FOP Grand Lodge” in identifying issues that effect federal law enforcement officers throughout the federal government.

In the area of community service, our lodge has supported various charitable organizations and civic groups throughout Broward County, Florida. We have taken an active role in supporting the Broward County - Easter Seals program, the Broward Outreach Program, and the Broward County - Women in Distress Center. During the holiday season, our lodge is active in supporting and delivering food baskets and toys to needy families throughout the tri-county area.

Our lodge, has taken an active role in participating in many of the functions and social activities initiated by both the “National FOP Grand Lodge and the State of Florida FOP”.

Delegates from our lodge are selected by our membership, to participate and attend the “National Peace Officers Memorial” services, which are held in Washington, DC, during the month of May and hosted by the “National - Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.” The memorial services are held on May 15th, of each year, to commemorate the law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty the previous year.

Lodge meetings are held at various locations throughout the year, normally on the fourth Tuesday of each month, beginning at 7:00PM. For additional information concerning the lodge location and time, contact Rick Tallent - President, at fop138@aol.com

(*) Our lodge meetings are currently being held at

“Gatsby’s Restaurant and Bar” located in the K-Mart shopping center at State Road “84” and University Blvd.

(Last update to web site - 3/17/05)