To improve regulatory matters or protect their social, economic, and other rights and interests, law enforcement officers organize and voluntarily join their professional unions. Operating in compliance with the United States legislation, these social institutions serve the law enforcement community, meeting police officers’ requirements and satisfying their needs in various areas (Aristovnik, Seljak, & Tomaževič, 2016). This paper will focus on the performance of the National Association of Police Organizations, including its history, purposes, benefits, and contribution to the United States’ law enforcement community.
The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) was established in 1978 for the purpose of advancing interests and supporting, defending, and promoting the rights of America’s law enforcement officers. The assurance of the equitable application of rules and fair treatment within police departments is another priority of NAPO’s operations (Trinkner, Tyler, & Goff, 2016). The Bylaws determine requirements for NAPO’s activities, membership, duties of the Executive Board, obligatory events, and so forth. William J. Johnson, who serves as the Executive Director, leads the organization. Today, NAPO unites approximately 1,000 member organizations from 20 territorially designated areas. The organization represents the interests of more than 241,000 sworn law enforcement officers, both active and retired (NAPO, 2017).
In accordance with the NAPO Bylaws, the minimum annual membership dues comprise $200 (NAPO, 2017). Despite this insignificant cost, the membership encompasses multiple benefits. For instance, by participating in seminars and various educational projects, law enforcement officers increase their knowledge about constitutional and legal rights, pension reform, Medicare options, investment opportunities, and so forth. Also, the official website clarifies information about available scholarship opportunities and discounts for members. Special offers are provided by such companies as Apple Inc., Freedom Mortgage, BrickHouse Security, John E. Reid & Associates, Ford Motor Company, and others. Information about benefits is disseminated via the official site.
Since NAPO’s inception in 1978, the organization has been dedicated to maintaining NAPO members’ welfare and improving the United States’ laws and policies for the mutual benefit of the public and law enforcement officers. In 1991, NAPO initiated the foundation of the Police Research and Education Project (PREP) to pursue research on stress-caused impacts on police officers and their families. In 1994, the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Rights Center was founded to support and promote law enforcement officers’ constitutional rights (NAPO, 2017). In 2002, the National Association of Police Organizations Relief Fund was established to provide support to police officers and their family members who were involved in accidents or natural disasters. These measures and events testify to the relevancy and consistency of NAPO’s performance.
What is more, the list of NAPO’s legislative victories serves as evidence of the organization’s considerable contribution to the promotion of law enforcement officers’ rights. Specifically, NAPO’s legislation-related achievements include the enactment of such laws as the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act in 1994, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act in 1998, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act in 2009, Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act in 2012, and many others (NAPO, 2017). Prospects for NAPO’s further legislation-focused endeavors are illuminated on the organization’s web platform.
Summing up, the National Association of Police Organizations serves as the nationwide voice of America’s law enforcement officers. This union has significantly contributed to supporting and protecting police officers’ rights, developed appropriate measures to alleviate an economic burden, and initiated multiple educational programs to raise officers’ awareness and knowledge. Thus, this social institution effectively addresses various needs of the law enforcement community.
References
Aristovnik, A., Seljak, J., & Tomaževič, N. (2016). A three-stage data envelopment analysis approach to measure the effect of job satisfaction on organisational performance in law enforcement agencies. International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 25(3), 294-312.
National Association of Police Organizations. (2017). About NAPO. Web.
Trinkner, R., Tyler, T. R., & Goff, P. A. (2016). Justice from within: The relations between a procedurally just organizational climate and police organizational efficiency, endorsement of democratic policing, and officer well-being. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 22(2), 158-172.