Posted: 1/11/2010 7:56:04 PM EDT
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there is a new FOP coming to S, MN, first meeting is next week,, I've been looking over there website, all seems they are good to go..
Are they good for a small dept that doesn't have a union? I don't want to get into union v.nonunion stuff, they do have some benifits like life insurance and legal defence. any other plus'es ? |
| They aren't any better than any other union, IMHO. Around here, their only interests are themselves. They aren't worth a shit as far as helping their members, and a recent problem I had, if I had not of obtained my own attorneys, the FOP would have left me high and dry. YMMV. |
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this is how i look at it....hows your chief/sheriff?....does he give you the tools you need? does he take care of you? provide a healthy environment?....if not,
then a FOP can be a good thing...if he does, you might not need one... my old SO had an FOP, because honestly we needed one...and the i trusted the deputies running the FOP more than the admin...because i worked on the street with those guys on the other hand, a good friend a county over...didnt have an FOP at his SO, because his sheriff was a great guy....they had great benefits, good pay, good tools, good training, and one of the most important things...the sheriff went to bat for them...those are all things that need to be looked into before voting an FOP in |
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Quoted:
this is how i look at it....hows your chief/sheriff?....does he give you the tools you need? does he take care of you? provide a healthy environment?....if not, then a FOP can be a good thing...if he does, you might not need one... my old SO had an FOP, because honestly we needed one...and the i trusted the deputies running the FOP more than the admin...because i worked on the street with those guys on the other hand, a good friend a county over...didnt have an FOP at his SO, because his sheriff was a great guy....they had great benefits, good pay, good tools, good training, and one of the most important things...the sheriff went to bat for them...those are all things that need to be looked into before voting an FOP in +1 Great post! 
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| The FOP in MN does not function in a union or union-like capacity. It is strictly a fraternal organization. They do offer a legal defense plan that is nice to have if you don't have one privately or through a union. They do a lot of good work here in MN through fundraisers, etc. Feel free to IM if you want more specific info. |
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Quoted: FOP is very strong in the northeast. I am very happy with them, I have an outstanding contract, lobbying at the state legislature, and excellent legal protection. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Heh... Not a cop, but my 'memory' of FOP, is their support of making WI a carry state... As usual, it was FOP & the local police unions 'for' carry, Chief's associations against.... |
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Quoted:
this is how i look at it....hows your chief/sheriff?....does he give you the tools you need? does he take care of you? provide a healthy environment?....if not, then a FOP can be a good thing...if he does, you might not need one... my old SO had an FOP, because honestly we needed one...and the i trusted the deputies running the FOP more than the admin...because i worked on the street with those guys on the other hand, a good friend a county over...didnt have an FOP at his SO, because his sheriff was a great guy....they had great benefits, good pay, good tools, good training, and one of the most important things...the sheriff went to bat for them...those are all things that need to be looked into before voting an FOP in Even with a good Sheriff, it probably still isn't a bad idea because a bad one can be one election day away. |
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As has been previously posted, if you have good Mgt. They can be a non-factor. But when you need represented they are GREAT to have.
An FOP lodge is only as good as the executive board elected by the members and the legal representation it retains. The lodges that suck..elect crappy boards....simple as that. In Pa most departments fall under Act 111 and utilize the FOP as their sole bargaining representative. I have been actively involved in the FOP since 1998 and have been fortunate to have been part of two fantastic lodges. With that said, I have had only very positive experiences with the FOP. My old PD won some crushing arbitration decisions on contracts because of them. As far as any hidden politics goes, I have not seen any, they are by and large pro conservative. They are not the only game on town and if you can get some representation I would highly suggest it whether it be the FOP or soemone else, let the needs of your PD guide you. |
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In my state they can be a "fraternal organization" with no real clout other than endorsing political canidates, or they can be formed as a "bargaining unit" since our state does not allow unions for law enforcement. This would be identified in their charter and a bargaining unit would require an agency vote usually structured with officers and corporals or segeants eligible for membership.
We dont have one and a push for one hasn't reached my agency, as our boss is good to us. A local PD just went to the teamsters for a bargaining unit and it seems to have driven a wedge through their department. My friends at the PD said alot of them were frustrated with the city manager who has a lot of control over pay and benefits. Now the line officers cant really take problems or concerns up the chain the way they use to and it has changed the way they interact with the mid level and upper level bosses. They also havent negotiated a contract yet, so the bosses are unsure what they can do as negotiations are still in progress and have been for almost a year. Now some will say its a anti union scare tactic, but be aware that some agencies that have gone union have had pay and benefits frozen. This is common when the command staff feels p.o.'d that they have to deal with a union. Basically you start from scratch and everything becomes negotiable (pay, overtime, uniform/equipment allowances, take home cars, medical etc). Like others have said, a organization outside the agency who watches over and help protect officers can be a good thing, but if things are working well consider the potential profits and losses carefully. |
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Quoted:
Most FOP lodges around here are just good ole boy clubs. Not really a union. I joined the PBA for thier legal protection. I've heard good things about them. +1 on the PBA. Here in MS, they're all we have. I have seen them represent fellow officers in cases involving discrimination charges against other officers. They can also be extremely beneficial if you're ever wrongfully disciplined/terminated. After I sustained a LOD injury (and lost my job) over a particualr incident last year, my PBA reps were very helpful in advising me of my options and rights, even though they couldn't "represent" me due to the particulars of my situation. It's worth every penny IMO. |