The Utah FOP offers endorsements for political office, based on their support for law enforcement and their goals of protecting the communities we serve. The state FOP will endorse in only the following races: US Senate, US House, Utah Governor, and Utah Attorney General. All other state and local races will be referred to our local lodges in the areas the candidates serve. We look forward to working with public servants in our roles in protecting the communities we serve. In order to receive the endorsement of the FOP, a candidate must secure 2/3 support from the voting body. If you are a candidate seeking an endorsement, please review our Endorsement Policy below. To request the endorsement and begin the process, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. As a general rule, endorsements won't be given until after party conventions.
PURPOSE:
To streamline political action and political endorsements to ensure compliance with guidelines from the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police as well as the goals and desires of the majority membership of the Utah FOP. This policy is set forth to empower subordinate lodges in recognition and political activity, while still carrying out the mission of the Utah FOP. (revised 11.2.24)
DEFINITIONS:
Endorsement: The official statement of the designated lodge (subordinate, state) showing support of a particular candidate or issue. Endorsements shall be issued with the understanding that it is the intellectual property of the FOP, and can only be used as directed, to include rescinding/altering issued endorsements. Endorsements shall only be termed in relation to voter based races. (revised 11.2.24)
Utah State FOP Board: To include the Executive Board members (President, Vice-President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Sergeant at Arms, Immediate Past President and National Trustee) and the Subordinate Lodge Trustee from each lodge. The trustee may be the appointed trustee, the lodge president, or any single member appointed by the subordinate lodge president to act on behalf of the subordinate lodge if the designated trustee is unavailable. (revised 11.2.24)
Affected Lodge: The lodge whose jurisdiction is primarily represented by the candidate or issue, further described as the candidate being in the direct chain of command or has direct influence on the budget of the agency where the subordinate lodge resides. This does not apply to the office of county mayor in counties where more than one subordinate lodge resides, where the county mayor can make decisions that affect other jurisdictions within the county.
In-Kind Donation: Physical participation in campaign related events, limited to public events such as “honk and waves” or neighborhood canvasing. (revised 11.2.24)
Majority Vote: For the purposes of endorsements, a 2⁄3 majority vote shall be required for endorsements made by the state FOP. This is based off the members in attendance at meetings or respond by email or other media. Lodges that do not participate or respond shall be deemed to have abstained from the vote. (revised 11.2.24)
PAC Money: Money that is raised by the Utah State Lodge for the sole purpose of providing financial support to campaigns or political projects as required by law. This money does not come from member payroll deduction dues. (revised 11.2.24)
ENDORSEMENT ELIGIBILITY:
Candidates seeking statewide office or United States congress shall only be interviewed and endorsed by the Utah State Lodge. A 2⁄3 majority vote of the Utah State FOP Board of Trustees present will determine the endorsement. If feasible, adequate time should be given to ensure that the full membership has enough time to return their votes to their lodge president or trustee. Each Executive Board member and each lodge will be afforded one (1) vote per race.
It is suggested that subordinate lodges follow the same guidelines with subordinate elections. This section of the policy does not apply in races where the FOP has sought out a candidate to run for a specific office.
Candidates seeking subordinate lodge endorsements will fall solely under the jurisdiction of that subordinate lodge. If there is a candidate race in a jurisdiction where there is no subordinate lodge, it shall be the general policy of the Utah State FOP not to endorse candidates in that jurisdiction.
No other subordinate lodge or the state lodge may offer a counter-endorsement to a proper endorsement by a subordinate lodge, or the state lodge, that has been duly given, without the consent of the full State FOP Executive Board and the Board of Trustees where substantial cause must be shown. Consent must be by a super-majority of the Board of Trustees. (revised 11.2.24)
STATE OFFICE RACES:
The Utah State FOP Board of Trustees shall only entertain endorsements in the following races: All US Congressional/Senate races, Governor, and Attorney General. The Utah State FOP shall not make any endorsement without the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees. (revised 11.2.24)
STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES:
All state legislative races will be the responsibility of the subordinate lodges in the jurisdiction of the candidate. Candidates for those races may contact the Utah FOP, who will then provide them with the contact information for the affected lodges. It will be the responsibility of the candidates to establish contact with the lodges. The Utah State Lodge will not endorse in these races. (revised 11.2.24)
DISTRICT/COUNTY ATTORNEY RACES:
In races concerning district/county attorneys, the subordinate lodges in that jurisdictions shall have the responsibility to assemble and endorse. In those cases, the lodges in the jurisdiction should hold their own endorsement meeting and each lodge in the jurisdiction will be afforded one (1) vote per lodge. (revised 11.2.24)
MUNICIPAL/COUNTY RACES:
The Utah State FOP will not endorse those races, but will leave them to the individual subordinate lodges to create a fair endorsement practice. This includes offices of Sheriff, Mayor, and City & County Councils/Commissions. County races that directly affect multiple subordinate lodges within that county jurisdiction should be governed by a separate committee, set up by the subordinate lodges in that jurisdiction and outside the control of the Utah State Lodge, except where rules or violations are outlined by this policy. The assembled committee shall endorse with a 2⁄3 majority vote for the endorsement. Any approved endorsement may be under the name of the Fraternal Order of Police when multiple subordinate lodges are involved in the endorsement, or the subordinate lodges may declare in the names of those lodges. The committee quorum shall be comprised of a majority of lodges within that county and shall include statewide lodges with members in the affected county. Any meetings or votes shall come when a quorum is established. (revised 11.2.24)
*Subordinate lodges residing in the same county, but are not under the direct jurisdiction of the office sought, shall not interfere with the endorsement process unless requested by the original affected lodge(s). County races that affect the policy of municipalities and agencies shall include all subordinate lodges in the county, such as county council/commissioner races. If there is a specific and dedicated local lodge to just that county entity, they shall have first right to conduct the endorsement. If the subordinate lodge is a county wide open lodge that has members from more than just the county agency, then all subordinate lodges in the county shall be able to participate in the endorsement process and have voice and vote. (revised 11.2.24)
It shall be the responsibility of the subordinate lodge(s) to poll their own members to determine endorsement eligibility.
Subordinate lodges that issue endorsements shall ensure that their candidates receive the endorsement from that subordinate lodge; furthermore, they are not permitted to announce an endorsement of the “Utah Fraternal Order of Police”. The Utah FOP reserves the right to issue clarifying statements to candidates, media, etc if an endorsement is perceived or advertised to be on behalf of the Utah FOP.
ENDORSEMENT:
When a candidate is selected for an endorsement, they shall be notified of the endorsement. If the other primary candidates or opposing party candidate is also interviewed, notification shall be made to them as well. (revised 11.2.24)
In the event that a super majority consensus is not reached during the vote, there shall be no endorsement given. This action will occur only after good faith efforts to record votes from each lodge.
- It is the responsibility of the members of the committee to educate themselves on the topics and candidates. (revised 11.2.24)
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS:
The Utah State FOP maintains a PAC fund to be able to contribute to political campaigns in statewide races only. PAC money should not be a guaranteed part of the endorsement, but can be used to supplement an endorsement for deserving candidates. PAC money is limited, so each candidate should not expect financial contributions. Contributions of time and other donations are also appropriate and welcome in most campaigns. Each subordinate lodge shall ensure that they comply with individual department policy and procedures when taking political action.
By law, member dues collected via payroll deduction (UCA 34-32-1.1) cannot and will not be used for PAC contributions.
Only candidates endorsed by the Utah State FOP will be eligible to receive PAC funds. In this manner, we can guarantee that member dues are not being used for PAC contributions, given the manner of financial accounting. By their nature, contribution of PAC funds are considered to be endorsements of a candidate, therefore, PAC funds shall not be awarded to any individual that does not meet the established criteria.
Any campaign contributions must be approved by the Board of Trustees. The State President may authorize PAC expenditures associated with political action outside of endorsements, provided the expenditures fall within legal PAC distributions and reported to the State Treasurer, and authorized by the same. Expenditures of this nature will be reported and filed in accordance to requirements of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, State of Utah. (revised 11.2.24)
SECURITY “IN KIND” CONTRIBUTIONS:
Candidates that receive the endorsement of the Utah FOP will not be allowed to use members of the FOP, in their FOP capacity, for physical security at campaign events due to the liability that the state lodge would assume for those events. Candidates needing security will be directed to contact the local law enforcement agency of the event or a licensed security company. The Utah FOP assumes no liability or responsibility for any action that is not in line with this policy. (revised 11.2.24)
ENDORSEMENT TIMING
While exceptions shall be considered, such as an FOP sponsored candidate, it shall be the general policy of the Utah State FOP not to endorse until after the state party conventions, but before the primary elections in most races. In instances where strong candidates from multiple parties are vying for the FOP endorsement, the general practice will be to wait until after the primary elections for any endorsements. In cases where the determination to endorse early is made, the process shall follow the listed guidelines. Endorsement interviews should not be conducted after 45 days prior to the general election date, or 7 days prior to the primary election. Endorsements will be released when practical, and at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, after authorization by the State President of the Utah FOP. (revised 11.2.24)
Recommendations may be distributed by email and FOP votes may be recorded by the same manner, or by other electronic means. The Utah FOP shall post current year endorsements on the public area of the website, along with this policy. (revised 11.2.24)
CONCLUSION
This endorsement and political action policy has been adopted as a way to streamline the process of the Utah State Lodge. Elements of this policy may be changed upon approval of the Utah State Lodge Executive Board and Trustees at a scheduled monthly meeting, by 2/3 majority vote. In cases where alterations are sought, it shall be advertised to all subordinate lodges at least 30 days in advance of the next meeting, and suggested changes will be posted at the time of notification.
Latest revision on 11/2/24 at State Convention held at Young Living, Lehi, UT. Change approved by voice vote with 1 dissenting vote.
Latest revision on 11/14/14 at General State Board Meeting held at lodge office. Change approved by voice vote in regards to contribution cap by executive board with no dissenting vote.
2nd revision on 4/13/12 at Political Action Committee meeting held at the Lodge Office. Changes approved by voice vote, with one committee member dissenting.
Approved on 4/13/12 at the Utah State FOP Board of Trustee Meeting by voice vote, again with one dissenting vote.