"BUILDING ON A PROUD TRADITION"

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers, representing over 330,000 police officers. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting  our communities. We are committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, and community involvement.

In the State of Utah, the FOP represents nearly 2,000 police officers around the state.  We currently have 27 lodges from Cache County down to Central Utah and all points in between.  We are an organization of cops representing cops.  Period. 

“No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced 

by today's police officers better than another officer, 

and no one knows police officers better than the FOP”

Utah FOP Calls for OIS Reform

Wants DA's to halt declarations without hearings

The Fraternal Order of Police is calling on all District Attorneys/County Attorneys to halt the practice of declaring Officer Involved Shootings as  "Unjustified" where no criminal charges are being pursued.  This practice is a direct attack on the due process rights of the officers involved in a critical incident.  The Utah FOP holds that if criminal charges are not being pursued against the officer, then the incident was clearly justified, as it would be with civilians involved in a case of self defense.  If an officer is "unjustified" in a use of force, then the officer has the constitutional right to a hearing to challenge that assertion.  When a DA/CA declares "unjustified" but provide the officer with no avenue of challenge or remedy, their career and reputation is at risk with no provision to challenge.  The FOP will begin to pursue action in this area.

The Utah FOP is also evaluating OIS protocols across the entire state.  We firmly believe that protections for officers in some counties, by nature of exisiting protocols, should be firmed up and extended to all officers across this state.  We are currenly compiling protocols from around the state for this evaluation.  You can assist by emailing a copy of your counties OIS protocol to legal@utahfop.com.

American Income Life Benefit

Utah FOP severs ties with A.I.L.

The Utah FOP has severed ties with American Income Life because of their harassing practice in trying to get members to sign up for "increased benefits".  Notice has been sent to AIL to stop using the reference of FOP.  If any FOP members in the State of Utah receive a letter with FOP letterhead for this benefit, please ignore this and DO NOT RESPOND.  

FOP Position on Camera Use

By Mike Coviello, Associate Counsel, Grand Lodge FOP

My position on cameras, whether they be in car, on your body, or in your agency's building, should be the subject of bargaining.  A demand for bargaining should be made.  Of primary concern is the use of video to discipline officers.  Even though most agencies in Utah do not collectivly bargain, lodges should  definitely approach management about and at least discuss how the body cameras will be used....

When in-car cameras were proposed in Florida, the Florida FOP negotiated how the videos were to be used but supported the idea for officer safety.  In-car cameras have exonerated more officers than not, especially with regard to traffic stop allegations.