Secretary –Treasurer Chris Moore
Chris Moore has been with the Birmingham Police Department for 27 years. He has worked in the Patrol Division as an officer, sergeant, and lieutenant. He has served as the commander of the Business Services and Homicide units, and for the past 8 years has commanded the Auto Theft unit. Chris has been a member of Lodge 1 for 27 years and has served on the executive board as Secretary-Treasurer for the past five years. Previously, he served as Second V.P. for two years and on the Board of Trustees for five years.
A Message from the Secretary/Treasurer
Recently I celebrated my 27th anniversary in the Birmingham Police Department. As with any job there have been some good times, and there have been some that weren’t so good. There has been one thing, however, that started out good and only got better with time – my association with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1.
Once upon a time police officers had to work 25
years in order to retire from the City of Birmingham. Now we can leave after 20
years of service – sooner than any other police officer in the State of
Once upon a time a clothing/equipment allowance was unheard of. Now, we receive $200 a month to reimburse us for our uniform and equipment expenses. Once upon a time a DROP plan was unthinkable. Now, it is a reality for all city employees. Speaking as one who is nearing retirement, this DROP plan provides a level of financial security and peace of mind that we have never experienced before as city employees.
When I think of the recent settlement of our overtime lawsuit in Federal Court, it makes me extremely proud to be an F.O.P. member, because I know that this settlement would not have been possible without the strong financial resources of our organization. Over the years our legal defense fund has been used to restore job rights to dozens, if not hundreds, of members who were wrongly accused or punished excessively.
Over the past five years our insurance carrier has paid almost $300,000 to our members who have died accidentally off duty and those that were killed while on duty. It is a benefit that we never want to use, but it is comforting to know that it is there.
On the national level the strength of a 321,000 member organization has successfully lobbied Congress to allow active and retired officers (with some restrictions) to carry their weapons nationwide. A national law enforcement bill of rights, and much needed social security reforms as it relates to reductions in benefits to law enforcement officers is being actively lobbied before Congress at the present time. I firmly believe that within a few years these bills will be passed because of the efforts of the FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GRAND LODGE.
I can’t stress enough how important membership in Lodge 1 is to you. The benefits that are offered to our members are second to none. I can’t imagine doing the job that we are called to do without the protection of our legal defense program and the other benefits offered by our lodge. At the same time your membership is important to the strength and viability of Lodge 1. YOUR dues help to fund lobbying efforts to achieve better pension benefits such as the 2.50% multiplier and DROP plan. YOUR dues are used to fund overtime lawsuits that restore to you money that was improperly withheld. It is YOUR dues that will enable the grand lodge to successfully lobby Congress to reform Social Security so that you get your full pension benefit instead of a reduced pension. Is the $18 you spend each month in membership dues worth it? In my opinion it is the best $18 that you or I will ever spend in our lives.
The F.O.P. Grand Lodge has an excellent website that fully explains all of the benefits of membership. GRAND LODGE WEBSITE.