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History Highlights

  • 1954  - The history of I.U.PA. begins with the National Conference of Police Associations (N.C.P.A.). It was founded in response to the changing needs of the law enforcement profession and its rank and file members. At that time in history, police officers were beginning to achieve collective bargaining and other on-the-job representation rights, so it became apparent that they were in need of the support and services that only the AFL-CIO could provide.

  • 1966  - As our officers joined, the N.C.P.A. amended its by-laws in 1966 to allow Canadian police associations to affiliate and with that change, N.C.P.A. became known as the International Conference of Police Associations. The International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A.) would later break off from this group and seek affiliation with the AFL-CIO.

  • 1979  - Presenting its needs again and again before the AFL CIO, on February 20, 1979, the International Union of Police Associations was granted the first AFL-CIO Charter for a police union by AFL CIO President George Meany; giving rank and file police officers their own independent voice within organized labor. This partnership was created to enhance the working and personal lives of law enforcement professionals across the country.

  • The 1980s  - The International Union of Police Associations, I.U.P.A., played the pivotal role in the passage of amendments that made the FLSA one of the most important labor laws applicable to law enforcement that was ever passed. Because of this, in 1986, Congress passed a series of amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which forever changed American policing. No longer could law enforcement officers be required to work more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week without compensation. No longer would local unions and associations have to collectively bargain to ensure that overtime was paid at time and a half. The passage of the FLSA amendments demonstrated, clearly and unequivocally, the great value of an independent law enforcement AFL-CIO union.

    I.U.P.A. also added its first Washington office during this time to ensure easy access to policymakers.

  • The 1990s  - Since 1990, I.U.P.A.’s membership growth has been threefold. Included in this expansion has been the affiliation of American corrections officers, as well as 8,000 law enforcement officers in Puerto Rico.

    With the addition of so many locals, I.U.P.A. began to expand its services. A specialist in labor law was retained as legal counsel and I.U.P.A. added a Research Department.

  • The 2000s  - More recently, I.U.P.A. has vigorously sought out officers to join our ranks in all areas of our country, using organizing campaigns that have been specifically designed to show law enforcement personnel that we can meet their needs for representation in the work place. I.U.P.A. now represents officers from Los Angeles to Boston, from Minnesota to Florida, and all across the Midwest. We represent all officers in the Los Angeles Police Dept., as well as the 20 members in Apex, NC.

  • The Present  - In 2004, I.U.P.A. fought alongside the AFL-CIO in opposition to the rule changes to the FLSA promulgated by the Department of Labor. This collaborative effort resulted in the passage of the Harkin Amendment though both houses of Congress.

    I.U.P.A. has realized that in the face of ever-changing laws, and increased demands on police, the first responders in homeland security, officers now see the necessity of legal representation on the job; protection while providing protection, so to speak! In response to this need, and to service those local unions that were small and without the financial means to support their own legal staff, the I.U.P.A. created a full service legal program that was tailored to offer these locals representation in matters related to grievance and disciplinary hearings, collective bargaining, job security, and contract administration; as well as any other legal ramifications related to the course and scope of duty.

    Since I.U.P.A.’s beginning, and through developments made by its Executive Officers and its legislative director, the organization has become one of the most influential voices for law enforcement in our nation’s political arena. I.U.P.A. has accomplished this by aiding our legislative representatives in drafting legislation impacting the lives of not only our membership, but the law enforcement and labor community as a whole.

    Our legislative initiatives include:

    • National Police Officers Bill of Rights
    • The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for public employees
    • Educational survivor benefits for police families
    • Armor vest grants to municipalities

    I.U.P.A. was founded, and continues to work to improve the lives and working conditions of law enforcement officers and their families through unity, research, political influence, legal representation, and new benefit initiatives.

    I.U.P.A. is the only AFL-CIO union created specifically to represent law enforcement personnel and we work full-time on issues that impact our law enforcement community.

    And most importantly, I.U.P.A.’s history of advances in representing law enforcement in this trying world have show its ability to accomplish its founding goal; to be the principal voice and advocate of America's rank and file law enforcement personnel.