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My friend(s),
this Emblem, as adopted by the Fraternal Order of Police, will
always remind you of the duties that are expected of you as a
citizen, a police officer, and a member of this Order. First,
the five-cornered star, the same that is found in our
National Emblem, and tends to reminds us of the allegiance we owe to
our Flag.
The star
is also the symbol of authority with which you, like all police
officers, are more or less invested. This authority conferred upon
you by the people is a token of honor, for in this act they
recognize in you a man (or women) of ability and power, and equal to
the task set before you; they also place in you their confidence and
trust. Let us hope that you will never abuse this confidence or
betray this trust, and that your actions will always be such as to
command an honorable opinion of all those with whom you come in
contact.
Midway between
the points and center of the Star is a blue field. The
points are of gold, which indicates the position under which we
are now serving; the background is white, white being the
virgin or unstained color, representing purity; among our many
efforts, one is to allow nothing of a corrupt nature to be injected
into our Order; therefore blue, gold and white are our colors. In
the three uppermost blue fields are the letters F.O.P., which
is the monogram of our Order, the “FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE.” In
the blue field, in the lower left-hand corner is the open eye,
the eye of vigilance, the ever-watchful eye, which notes the danger,
and offers protection to the public, asleep or awake. In the blue
field, in the lower right-hand corner, is the handclasp,
which denotes friendship. This, my friend(s), is a very important
item. The hand of friendship always has its effect and should always
be extended to a worthy Brother (or Sister). The hand of friendship
with good advice and a few kind words, often has a wonderful
influence; in many cases it relieves a burden, cheers, a heart,
strengthens the ability, renews the determination, and sets aright
the footsteps of an erring Brother or Sisters.
The circle
surrounding the Star midway,
indicates our never ending and never tiring efforts to promote the
welfare and advancement of this Order, and within its bounds we are
all a one great and powerful unit. In a half circle over the
centerpiece is our motto, written in Latin, Jus, Fides,
Libertatum, which translated means Law is a safeguard of
Freedom. In the center of the Star is the seal of Fort Pitt.
This, my friend(s) tends to remind us of where the first efforts
were put forth to establish this highly necessitated Order.
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FOP History
