Local police officers in my locality are represented by the International Union of Police Associations. The union was chattered in the year 1979, and since then it has been exclusively representing law enforcement officers, among other support personnel. I.U.P.A represents both full-time law enforcement agents, as well as civilian employees (DeCarlo & Jenkins, 2015). The mission of the union is to advance and protect the working conditions, benefits, and wages of the officers. Its members are drawn from agencies all around the US and the Caribbean.
International Union of Police Associations was started in 1954. It was initially referred to as the National Conference of Police Association. It was developed as a result of the evolving demands of the profession of law enforcement, particularly benefits and collective bargaining. NCPA later changed to International Conference of Police Associations after allowing local Canadian police associations to associate with it, through the amendment of its by-laws. After declining to ally with AFL-CIO, ICPA’s member organizations created a united labor front (IUPA) to provide services and support that were provided by AFL-CIO. IUPA was awarded an AFL-CIO charter in 1979, allowing the union to give law enforcement agents an independent voice within the labor movement (DeCarlo & Jenkins, 2015).
Members have accrued many benefits from the union. For instance, the union covers its members legally while they are on job due to the ever-changing demands and law in the community of law enforcement. Officers receive representation from the union in matters concerning disciplinary and grievance hearings, contract administration, job security, collective bargaining, and legal ramifications related to the scope and course of their duty (Swanson, Territo & Taylor, 2012). The union partners with various institutions e.g. higher education institutions to advance members’ careers and expand their knowledge on law enforcement and public safety. The union has continued to improve the legislation that affects and protects public safety officers, as well as representing the needs of the public and law enforcement officers. Moreover, the union protects the public from manipulation by law enforcement agencies, by checking on the conduct of its members.
References
DeCarlo, J., & Jenkins, M. J. (2015). Labor unions, management innovation and organizational change in police departments.
Swanson, C. R., Territo, L., & Taylor, R. L. (2012). Police administration: Structures, processes, and behavior (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. ISBN: 13: 978-0-13-512103-0