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 My name is Johnny Frederic.  On September 10, 2004 I retired, as a Sergeant, from the Gonzales Police Department where I served for 28 years. The Louisiana State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police decided to expand our services by adding a Director of Membership Services. On November 1^st, 2004 I assumed the duties and responsibilities of that office.

 E-mail Johnny Frederic

The Louisiana State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police was chartered in 1954 and currently serves over 5000 members in 30 active lodges across the State. Two officers from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania established the FOP in 1915. Today, the Fraternal Order of Police has grown to over 318,000 members in 2,100 lodges nationwide. For more information about the history of the FOP please view this link.

 What is a Grand Local Lodge?

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 318,000 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.

What is a Local Lodge?

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 whose job it is to represent their membership at State Board meetings and conferences. This ensures members have a far-reaching voice in FOP matters.

Who can join the FOP?

 Any full time or retired law enforcement officer may join the FOP. It takes 10 full time or retired officers to start a lodge. In recent years the Louisiana FOP recognized that there are a number of Louisiana law enforcement officers who wish to be affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Police, but found it difficult to achieve the numbers needed to charter a new lodge. 

• Many law enforcement agencies in the state are comprised of less that ten sworn officers, and often, the proximity of these smaller agencies to one another cause conditions that are not conducive to collectively creating a combined lodge. In addition, on occasions political influence by those unfamiliar with the FOP's mission and goals often created obstacles in the formation of a local lodge. 

• With that in mind the members of the Louisiana State Lodge created Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police Pelican Lodge 100, an open membership lodge for those law enforcement officers working where a lodge does not exists. If you are an officer who falls into one of these categories and would like to become a member, please contact us and we will send you the information to get you started.

 So what do our members receive when they join?

If you are a full-time law enforcement officer and share the concerns of fellow officers, the Fraternal Order of Police gives you an opportunity to unite and make your voice heard. Ultimately, this partnership aids in improving our profession.

At the National level

• FOP Journal: The National FOP Journal includes a wide range of law enforcement articles, FOP reports, legislative news, and new products and services.

• Amicus Curiae Briefs: Friend of the court briefs in important cases for law enforcement.

• Legislative Support: The FOP coordinates legislative activities, providing its membership with a full-time lobbyist on Capitol Hill.

• Center for Criminal Justice Studies: The official research organization, providing research studies, surveys of members and a free information service.

• Seminars and Workshops

• Labor Relations Committee

• Data Research/FOPnet System

• Insurance Benefits

At the State level

• Each year every local lodges is eligible to receive a $500.00 Scholarship.  The scholarship is called the Robert E. Lampard  Scholarship and each local lodge determines how it is awarded.

·      From the National Lodge, dependents of an Officer killed in the line of duty are eligible for the FOP's  Steve Young Scholarship program. 

·      Each Member is entitled to a Death benefit of $1000 up to age 65 and $500 after age 65.

·       Each member is covered by an Accidental death policy of up to $5000.

·      The State Legislative Committee is working on the concerns of Louisiana Law  Enforcement Officers in the Legislature and keeps the membership informed.

·      The FOP in Louisiana has for years supported The Critical Incident Response Team Program. Not only is it a benefit to our members but also benefits every Law Enforcement Officer in the State and that’s what we’re about.

·       Members receive the Louisiana FOP Journal – This nationally acclaimed news magazine features articles and news from lodges around the state with no advertisements.

·      The State Office located at 200 Laurel St. is just a few blocks from State Capital Building in Baton Rouge. Its staff is eager and ready to assist. It can be reached by dialing our toll free number 1-877-527-8367.

·       E-mail alerts are sent directly to members informing them of current events.

·       Through Capwiz, a service offered by the LAFOP,  legislation important to our members is posted right on the web site and with just a few clicks. members can send their  legislators both in Washington and Baton Rouge a prepared letter or a member can write their own.

·      We support charities such as Easter Seals, Special Olympics Torch Run, Sunshine Kids, Southern Law Enforcement Foundation (Critical Incident Response Team Program) and a DWI awareness campaign, on top of special community projects funded and provided by local lodges.

 What makes it work?

 Local Lodges are in control!  The FOP is a member driven organization.  That’s the difference, other organizations are controlled by a few individuals from the National or State which hand out directives. The FOP is control by its members.  Our strength is in our numbers.