Updated 7/26/10
The Brothers and Sisters of the Fraternal Order of Police
Welcome our Newest Members
Colts Neck Lodge 215

Updated 7/26/10
Submissions to the NJ F.O.P. NEWS are due August 5, 2010

Update 7/19/10
 Getting it Done
Today's issue of the Trenton Times included an article about police and firefighter arbitration.  State Senate President Sweeney was quoted as saying, "police and firefighters who are barred by law from striking need an arbitration process that allows them to negotiate a contract in good faith. He also said civil service rules were put in place because of concerns over cronyism and corruption: any attempts to reform civil service protections must be completed with the original mission in mind."

Updated 7/14/10
President Brannigan Stands Up for Police in Email Blast
 The New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police respectfully but vigorously disagrees with Senate President Steve Sweeney's recent remarks that laying off police officers does not constitute a "state of emergency" under the recently enacted 2% statutory cap on municipal spending...
Click here for the full message

Updated 7/13/10
 Help a Brother in Need
One of our brothers in blue needs our help. Tpr. J. Sorrentino #6613 was recently informed his ten month old daughter Lia Clare has been diagnosed with an inherited metabolic disorder called Hurlers Disease. Treatment for this includes multiple surgeries including a bone marrow transplant using umbilical cord stem cells. She will then go through an extensive chemotherapy program. Lia is being treated by the best team at Duke Children's Hospital in Durham, NC. Please come out and show support for this wonderful family on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 for the benefit at PARK EAST 3352 Rt. 35, Hazlet NJ from 6-10 PM.
Click here for a Printable Flyer

Updated 7/7/10
 Has Your Lodge Sponsored the George Bowman Survivors Golf Tournament?
Members are encouraged to contact their local lodge leaders to have them support your survivor's golf tournament.  Remember all money raised goes to support the fund that pays the survivors of officers who die in the line of duty.
Click here for the Registration Form

Updated 6/27/10
 And the Beat Goes On...
Continuing a trend that started several years ago, law enforcement officers from across the state are calling the F.O.P. office in Trenton.  The say that they have had enough with their representation.  The latest example are the members from Bloomfield Township who have chartered our newest lodge.  Welcome Brothers and Sisters of Bloomfield Lodge 214

Updated 6/5/10
 2010 Scholarship Winners
The Scholarship Committee of the New Jersey State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police has announced the winners for 2010.  Congratualtions to our winners, Amanda Branda, Charles Sahanas, Arthur Teeter, and Alexa V arga.  This years competition for scholarships was again very competative and although awards cound not be given to all applicants, each applicant was a winner in the eyes of the committee.  Congratulations to all the graduates and best wishes in all your future endeavors.  
Scholarship Announcement Page

Updated 6/2/10
 Civil Service Commission Issues Statement on Sergeant's Promotional Exam
The 2010 Promotional Announcements for Police Sergeant, which were scheduled to be issued July 1, 2010, have been postponed until September 1, 2010.
The results from the last testing cycle for the Police Sergeant Exam were released and can be found on the CSC Website.
Click here for the CSC Report

Updated 5/20/10
 Green Brook Lodge 23 Reaches Out to the Community
Members of Green Brook Lodge 23 are seeking the support of their residents to protect two officers who are slated for layoffs.  Essential functions within the police department are being put at risk by the by the loss of these officers in a department where its members have been without a contract for several months
Click here for the release to the community

Updated 5/17/10
 President Brannigan Speaks Up for Law Enforcement
New Jersey State Lodge President Edward Brannigan told radio listeners that the concerns of law enforcement professionals are being ignored by the propaganda and rhetoric coming from the very politicians who created the property tax problems that afflict our state.  He said that the hard working employees of state, county, and municipal law enforcement are no more to blame for the budgets and tax plans prepared by elected officials than they are for "Making the sun rise every day".  
Click here to listen to an excerpt of the radio show 

Link to NJ 101.5 Website with Audio Link

Updated 4/19/10
Congratulations to Evesham Lodge 143 Vice President David Petersen
After a nearly 2 year ordeal, Vice President Petersen is returning to active duty following disciplanary hearings and a wrongful termination.  State Lodge President Edward Brannigan and local lodge President Brian Libetti wish to thank all our brothers and sisters who supported Brother Petersen.  

Updated 3/24/10
Civil Service Issues an Update on Promotional Lawsuit
Contrary to rumor, no format for a new promotional exam for Police Sergeants has been decided and the Civil Service Commision is still negotiating with the US Department of Justice to address their concerns.  
Click here for the Update

Updated 3/22/10
 Summary of Legislative Action
The New Jersey State Lodge Legislative Commitee report on recent legislation attacking Collective Bargaining.
Click here for the Report

Updated 3/9/10
The F.O.P. Acts in Response to Legislation
The assault on collective bargaining and pensions is being answered by your State Lodge leadership.  President Edward Brannigan has stated "First and foremost, our organization is devoted to preserving the hard earned benefits of all law enforcement officers, in our great state."   State Lodge Legislative Committee Chairman Steven Demofonte testified before the General Assembly Budget Committee on March 4, 2010, detailing the impact of proposed legislation on law enforcement.  Your State Lodge staff has created a sample letter to the members of the General Assembly and members are being asked send it to their representatives.  

Sample Letter to the General Assembly

Updated 2/23/10
 Senate Passes Bills on Pension, Health Care and Retiree Benefits
As reported last week in Update 2/18/10, these bills have a drastic impact on current employees.  The State Senate voted 36-0 to pass these bills yesterday.  There were 4 abstentions.  The State Lodge is working diligently to protect your hard earned benefits.  President Brannigan and State Lodge Legislative Committee Chairman Steven Demofonte have met with legislative leaders and offered suggestions to save our members benefits while at the same time providing reforms to save taxpayer money.  The State Senate ignored these suggestions.  The State Senate chose not to accept the resposibility of government and instead placed the blame on the hard working employees.  Our members have paid 8.5% of their base pay to their pensions all these years, honorably bargained for health benefits, and in many of these cases contribute towards their costs.  The State Senate has mandated that decades of collective bargaining be tossed aside.  For the State Senate to do this after the state has not make any of its required payments for 11 of the last 15 years is outrageous!

Your legislators in the State Assembly need to hear from our members immediately to stop this attack on your rights.

Senate Bill S-3, as Ammended and Approved by the Senate

Updated 1/19/10
Governor Corzine Signs Law Protecting Camden Contract Negotiations
When the "Municipal Rehabilitation and Economic Recovery Act" was being considered for the City of Camden by legislators, they wanted to ensure that the public safety contracts were protected.  However when the bill was introduced, loopholes were found by the State Lodge Legislative Committee that would impact negotiations of a new contract for Camden Lodge 1.  Local Lodge President John Williamson, working with the committee and State Lodge Lobbyist Dr. Peter Guzzo worked out new language for the bill to protect the officers of the Camden Police Department.  This new language was met with strong support from the State Senate, State Assembly and Governor Corzine.  

Updated 1/19/10
Governor Corzine Signs Bill Giving Investigators of the Division of Criminal Justice
"The Right to Negotiate"
"Decades in the Making", was the reaction by DCJ Lodge 91 members who never gave up their fight for the right of collectively bargain.  Last night, Governor Corzine gave the hard working members of the Division of Criminal Justice the same basic fundamental fairness earned by their peers within the law enforcement profession.  In signing S-3071/A-4261 the Governor fulfilled his commitment to our members and recognized the effort of the Fraternal Order of Police in bringing about this long overdue law.  

Updated 10/29/09
 The F.O.P. Succeeds Again in Fighting the "Normal Age of Retirement" IRS Rule
The efforts of the National Legislative Office have paid off again in putting off until January 2013 this controversial rule.  The F.O.P. has been in this fight from the day the proposed rule change was announced.
We will continue to fight until the rule change is  defeated.
Click for the Revised Rule Sheet

Updated 10/26/09
 Lawrence Township F.O.P. Lodge 209 Defeats the PBA in their PERC Election
Following the motto "Have You Had Enough Yet?" the members of the  Lawrence Township Police Department chose the F.O.P to represent their interests after the results of PERC elections for both Rank and File members and Superior Officers.  Our congratulations to the leaders and members of this lodge.

Updated 2/26/2009
Special Social Security Information for our Military Veterans
Military Veterans should check that they have received Social Security Credit for the time that they served in the Armed Forces.