President’s Message

When we began our lodge a little over 18 years ago, our members primary objective and goal was to find an organization that we could turn to for additional support and guidance in the areas of labor and quality of life. The "Fraternal Order of Police" gave our members that encouragement and assistance with their active participation on issues that effected federal law enforcement officers throughout the United States.

With the many changes that have taken place within the federal government prior to and after 9/11, federal law enforcement officers have realized that it is important to maintain contact with labor organizations throughout the United States. Many officers working in the federal law enforcement sector, currently have labor groups defending their rights and promoting their concerns within their respected agencies.

It is very important that federal law enforcement officers keep an open channel with their labor groups, but as times change, we must look towards the future and what the future may hold for labor organizations in the federal government.

As federal employees, we have found, that the federal government believes that work productivity maybe enhanced and improved with the removal of all labor organizations within the federal sector.

Both our members and the "Fraternal Order of Police" feel, that if this action is allowed to escalate, major obstacles will be created that will seriously effect the rights and liberties of all federal employees.

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" the federal government, consolidated twenty-two federal agencies under one roof, with one primary manager and or director, the "Secretary" of the Department of Homeland Security.

Under the "Department of Homeland Security", two primary agencies were created, first, the office of "US Customs and Border Protection," which consists of officers from "legacy" U.S. Customs, the Immigration & Nationalization Service and Agriculture & Plant Quarantine. The second agency created, was the office of "Immigration and Customs Enforcement" or "ICE" which consist of special agents from the US Customs Service, Office of Enforcement and special agents from the US Immigration and Nationalization Service.

With the creation of the "Department of Homeland Security" and the consolidation of the twenty-two federal agencies, many problems have developed and have been recognized by our members as serious violations of our rights as federal employees.

As federal employees, we must remain cognizant of any actions taken by our political leaders in Washington, to terminate labor organizations within the federal government. As federal employees we have always maintained a safety net or guardian when dealing with or confronting management personnel at a time of crisis, the protector of our rights have always been our labor organizations.

Since the creation of our lodge in 1993, the "Fraternal Order of Police" has taken an active role, in assisting and understanding the many difficulties facing federal law enforcement officers in today's changing environment. When given the opportunity, the "Fraternal Order of Police", has always stepped forth and assisted our members when called upon.

Over the next few years, both the members of our lodge and the "Fraternal Order of Police" will watch with great interest and concern, any effort or challenge on the part of the federal government to alienate or terminate our rights and liberties as federal employees.

Our lodge will continue to promote the ideals, ethics, principles and integrity of both our lodge members and federal law enforcement officers throughout this great nation.

If you feel that you would like to take part in this growing organization, you can contact me directly at fop138@aol.com or complete the membership application online.

Fraternally yours,
Rick Tallent - President