The Changing Law Enforcement Agency
The fraternal organizational meetings are among the largest organizations in the world of affirmed law enforcers with about 325, 000 members and about 2100 lodges. These organizations are the voice of individuals who dedicate their lives to serving and protecting our communities. However, critiques have cited that these originations are merely breeding grounds for racism, the exclusionary bias of the non-members or non-invited members, and a liability to its members. However, these arguments are not substantive since they are committed to enhancing the law enforcers’ working conditions and ensuring the safety of the community they serve through legislation, education, community involvement, information, and presentation of employees. They are, therefore, more beneficial to the employees of a company or members of a police department.
Fraternal organizations of police were established by the national Fraternal Order of Police and since their introduction they have assisted the individual members in covering law enforcement such as civil, administrative, and criminal coverage, H.R 218 coverage, and moonlighting liability and insurance program. For instance, the legal Defense Plan pays for legal defense for some civil, administrative, and criminal proceedings against the participants and this legal defense coverage have become important since the cost and frequency of allegations against the peace officers has been increasing. Similarly, the insurance coverage protects the law enforcers who perform extra –duty jobs. Additionally, the coverage extends to non-governmental originations, which have contracted the officer’s services (Shusta et al,, 2010). As a result of protecting the extra-duty employer, an individual gets a unique marketing advantage over other programs that may not extend coverage to the hiring entity.
Labor services offer an elaborate set of services and resources that are designed to ensure none of the members goes to the bargaining table alone. Moreover, these organizations assist specific lodges in securing the right of becoming their bargaining agents or try influencing officials who determine their wages, terms, and employment conditions. Therefore, whether the department requires experience experts, contract information, or individualized labor research, the Labor Services Division provides the required personnel and resources (Shusta et al., 2010).
Office parties and fraternal organizational meetings are also beneficial due to their charity partnerships as noted by Shusta et al., (2010). For instance, Easter Seals helps adults and children with disabilities to experience better lives since they are the heart of Easter Seals mission and FOP as national corporate partners of Easter Seals has assisted in raising funds for helping individuals with disabilities and their families. Due to this long-standing relationship, FOP Easter Seal support has surpassed $15 million both in services provided and money raised, and this has made a significant impact on communities across the country. Similarly, through the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, the FOP has assisted people with intellectual disability in learning to become self-reliant and vital members of the society, and ensuring they are afforded the same respect and dignity that everybody in the community enjoys and deserves.
The criminal justice system of the United States has been extensively premised on the control of Black people, and this explains most of the problematic perceptions such as mass incarnations and brutal policing, and this has led to a wrong perception of fraternal organizational meetings. Critics argue that these organizations seem to be putting White Americans in charge and taking stances against the safety and right of Black Americans. In addition, there are concerns that these organizations only serve as unions for White cops and have an adverse impact on policing when it comes to civil rights. However, law enforcement is becoming more racially diverse.
Reference
Shusta, R. M., Levine, D. R., Harris, P. R., & Wong, H. Z. (2010). Multicultural law enforcement: Strategies for peacekeeping in a diverse society. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.