About our Lodge

Lumberton Twp. Fraternal Order Police, Lodge #201 represents the men and women of the Lumberton Township Police Department. Our lodge received its charter on February 15, 2006, and was known at that time as the Lumberton Township Police Officers Association. Although our name has changed since then, our objective remains the same. We are committed to improving the working conditions of our Law Enforcement Officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation through contract negotiations and grievance procedures.

We have a strong membership compromised of Active Police Officers, Retired Police Officers, and Associate Members. Our Associate Members are friends and families of Law Enforcement Officers, responsible and respected business persons, professional men and women, and citizens from all walks of life.

Our organization supports numerous community programs through our charitable giving and the promotion of programs that enhance public safety. We continue to work closely with the community and enjoy the widespread support given to us by our citizens. Our organization provides support to the Lumberton Township Recreation Department, Rancocas Valley Regional High School Project Graduation, Rancocas Valley Regional High School Scholarship Night, Big "O" Toy Drive (Sponsored By Lumberton Police Dept. and F.O.P. Lodge #201), Lumberton Township Middle School Athletic Teams, Susan G. Komen Foundation (Breast Cancer), George Bowman Police Survivors Fund, and to both the Lumberton Township Fire Department and Lumberton Township Emergency Squad. They are just a few of the organizations that we support through the year. With support from our local businesses and residents of Lumberton Township we are able to work together as a team and provide these charities and programs with a worthwhile contribution.

A Brief History of the Fraternal Order of Police

In 1915, the life of a policeman was bleak. In many communities they were forced to work 12 hour days, 365 days a year. Police officers didn't like it, but there was little they could do to change their working conditions. There were no organizations to make their voiced heard; no other means to make their grievances known.

This soon changed, thanks to the courage and wisdom of two Pittsburgh patrol officers. Martin Toole and Delbert Nagle knew they must first organize police officers, like other labor interests, if they were to be successful in making life better for themselves and their fellow police officers. They and 21 others "who were willing to make a change" met on May 14, 1915, and held the first meeting of the Fraternal Order of Police. They formed Fort Pitt Lodge #1. They decided on this name due to the anti-union sentiment of the time. However, there was no mistaking their intentions. As they told their city mayor, Joe Armstrong, the FOP would be the means "to bring our grievances before the Mayor or Council and have many things adjusted that we are unable to present in any other way we could get many things through our legislature that out Council will not, or cannot give us".

And so it began, a tradition of police officers representing police officers. The Fraternal Order of Police was given life by two dedicated police officers determined to better their profession and those who chose to protect and serve our communities, our states, and our country. It was not long afterward that Mayor Armstrong was congratulating the Fraternal Order of Police for their "strong influence in the legislature of various states, their considerate and charitable efforts" on behalf of the officers in need and for the FOP's "efforts at increasing the public confidence toward the police to the benefit if the peace, as well as the public".

From that small beginning the Fraternal Order of Police began growing steadily. In 1917 the idea of a National Order of Police came about. Today, the tradition that was first envisioned over 90 years ago lives on with more than 2,100 lodges and more than 325,000 members in the United States. The Fraternal Order of Police has become the largest professional police organization in the country. The FOP continues to grow because we have been true to the tradition and continue to build on it. The Fraternal Order of Police are proud professionals working on behalf of law enforcement officers from all ranks and levels of government.

About the FOP Star

The emblem adopted by the National Fraternal Order of Police is designed to remind the membership of the duties that are expected of them as a citizen, a police officer and a member of the lodge. The five-cornered star tends to remind us of the allegiance we owe to our Flag and is a symbol of the authority with which we are entrusted. It is an honor the people we serve bestow upon us. They place their confidence and trust in us; serve them proudly.

Midway between the points and the center of the star is a blue field representative of the thin blue line protecting those we serve. The points are of gold, which indicates the position under which we are now serving. The background is white, the unstained color representing the purity with which we should serve. We shall not let anything corrupt by injected into our order. Therefore, our colors are blue, gold, and white.

The open eye is the eye of vigilance ever looking for danger and protecting all those under its care while they sleep or while awake. The clasped hands denote friendship. The hand of friendship is always extended to those in need of our comfort.

The circle surrounding the star midway indicates our never ending efforts to promote the welfare and advancement of this order. Within the half circle over the centerpiece is our motto, "Jus, Fidus, Libertatum", which translated means "Law is a Safeguard of Freedom."