The Fraternal Order Of Police is the oldest and largest law enforcement organization in the world.

Founded in 1915, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the FOP has grown to over 325,000 members with affiliate lodges in Canada and Ireland.

Over 1,000 of the 2,100 lodges operate under collective bargaining agreements.

Welcome to our NC FOP State Lodge site!

The FOP in North Carolina emerged on the scene in 1954, with the first lodge located in Asheville. Today Harold C. Enloe Lodge #1 has over 250 members and continues with the slogan, "Building on a proud tradition".

Currently there are fifty-five local lodges totaling over 6,300 law enforcement officers from the mountains to the coast.

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HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE NC RACIAL JUSTICE ACT?

Have you heard of the NC Racial Justice Act? 
Did you realize that in August 2009 our NC elected officials enacted such a law?  Do you know that this law gives murderers the right to escape a death sentence if they can prove statistically their race is tried for the death penalty more than another race?  Where is the justice?

Let me introduce myself… I am Jennifer Shelton, widow of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Jeff Shelton EOW 4/1/07.  Over three years ago, my husband was brutally murdered while on duty.  Jeff and his partner Officer Sean Clark were killed while responding to an unrelated disturbance call. 

For over three years, the families of Jeff and Sean have been waiting for their accused killer to go to trial.  We had a trial date set for July 12, 2010 but on April 29, 2010 we were called in to court.  The defense argued a motion using the Racial Justice Act and Judge Forrest D. Bridges granted the defense motion.  This resulted in another delay while the statistics of death penalty cases across the state could be analyzed.  I am outraged!  This law provides nothing but another delay tactic for defense to use.  The person who murdered my husband should pay the price for the crime he committed!  This is not a racial crime.  Two of Charlotte’s finest were brutally murdered while going about the job they loved.  They deserve justice.

For the last two weeks, I have been visiting Raleigh to discuss this act with our elected officials.  I also participated in a press conference with officials who want to see this law changed.  Last week I met with Governor Bev Perdue who signed this Act into law on August 11, 2009.  I want to see this law changed!  

What I really want is to see the NC Racial Justice Act repealed.  I don’t believe a person is tried based on the color of their skin.  I believe a person is tried based on the crime he committed.  However, I feel this law should at the very least be modified to allow for post conviction use only.  We were the first case in the State to have a hearing on the Racial Justice Act.  Since our court date on April 29, 2010, 20 other pre-trial cases have filed using the Racial Justice Act.  That means that 20 families are on hold waiting for justice in the death of their loved one.  Can you believe that a trial of the murders of two police officers is the catalyst of delays across the state?  Can you imagine the financial impact on our state that before a person is found guilty of murder they are allowed to say they are only getting the death penalty due to their race?  Is this the standard we want set in NC?  I am appalled that our law makers are allowing this to happen.

I am asking for your help. 
Please call, write or email our elected officials in Raleigh.  Let them know you do not agree with the Racial Justice Act and you will hold them accountable for their vote on this matter.  Urge them to modify this bill so our justice system will not be clogged with these claims of Racial Bias.  Let them know that we the voters are outraged and are not going to sit quietly by and allow them to provide more rights to the criminals and none to the victims.  

If I can provide you any assistance in locating your elected officials or if you have any questions regarding the Racial Justice Act please feel free to contact me at jshelton2884@gmail.com.  I will gladly help you in anyway including letting you know who voted for this Act.  I appreciate your help and support.

Jennifer Shelton

Widow of Officer Jeff Shelton

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department

End of Watch 4/1/07

FOP MAKES STRONG PUSH ON BARGAINING BILL

FOP President Leads Effort to Include Our Bill on End of Year Agenda

Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, spent all of last week in Washington, D.C. working in tandem with the staff in the National Legislative Office in an effort to get the language of S. 1611, “Public Employee-Employer Cooperation Act,” incorporated into several likely pieces of legislation that Congress will be considering before ending the session.

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” Canterbury said.  “Congress has several bills that it must complete before concluding its business for the year.  The fact is, we have a lot of bipartisan support for the bill and we’ve approached it in a very honest and open way.  We do have a chance of getting this done.”

The legislation, which was introduced by Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) and the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), would recognize the fundamental right of public safety employees to form and join unions and bargain collectively with their employers over wages, hours, and working conditions without undermining existing State collective bargaining laws.   The legislation does not require binding arbitration, protects existing right-to-work laws, and specifically prohibits strikes and lockouts.  The bill has attracted a lot of support in the House and Senate from both sides of the aisle.

“The FOP and our friends at the International Association of Fire Fighters have been working to pass this legislation for more than a decade,” Canterbury said.  “Just as we were very close last May, winning a key procedural vote, I do think we have the support we need.  It’s the timing.”