A Lodge Leader’s Guide to the FOP Legal Defense Plan

As a lodge leader, you're more than an advocate—you’re a trusted resource. Your members rely on you not just for representation, but for guidance, protection, and access to benefits that make a real difference in their careers and personal lives. The FOP Legal Defense Plan is one of the most powerful tools you can offer to support your members and reinforce the value of lodge membership.

Why the FOP Legal Defense Plan Matters

Sponsored by the National Fraternal Order of Police and operated exclusively for FOP members, the FOP Legal Defense Plan is a self-funded legal defense benefit built specifically for law enforcement officers. It provides coverage for legal defense costs arising from:

• Administrative matters, including on- and off-duty incidents
• Civil actions tied to actions in the scope of employment
• Criminal proceedings, including grand jury matters arising out of job-related actions
• Submit and manage group enrollments
• Add or remove members as eligibility changes
• Track participation and coverage status
• Access enrollment forms and administrative resources
• Ready-to-use brochures and marketing materials for member outreach
• Enrollment and administration resources to support group participation
• Customer Portal support guides to help you manage enrollment with confidence

When a member uses a Plan Attorney, all reasonable and necessary attorney fees and costs are fully paid for covered claims.

This level of protection—available only through the FOP—helps remove uncertainty during some of the most challenging moments in an officer’s career. For lodge leaders, it represents a clear, practical benefit you can confidently stand behind when speaking with both current and prospective members.

Grow Your Lodge with the Plan

Group enrollment in the Legal Defense Plan is an effective way to provide immediate value to existing members while strengthening your lodge’s recruiting efforts. Many lodges position the Plan as a cornerstone benefit, reinforcing the FOP’s role as a trusted partner—not just in advocacy, but in day-to-day protection and peace of mind.

Offering group enrollment also sends a strong message: your lodge is proactive, organized, and invested in the well-being of its members. By simplifying access to coverage and ensuring consistent participation, the Plan becomes a shared benefit that strengthens connection and engagement across your lodge.

The Plan also offers Concealed Carry Coverage (CCC) for retired law enforcement officers who are eligible to carry under LEOSA or state law. Many lodges use CCC to stay connected with retired members and provide continued protection after active service ends. Including CCC in your conversations helps position the lodge as a long-term resource for members during their careers and in retirement.

Manage Enrollment Through the Online Portal

To support lodge leaders, group enrollment and administration are managed through an online customer portal designed to keep enrollment and ongoing management simple, accurate and efficient.

Through the portal, lodge leaders can:

• Submit and manage group enrollments 

• Add or remove members as eligibility changes 

• Track participation and coverage status

• Access enrollment forms and administrative resources 

The portal reduces paperwork, improves accuracy, and allows lodge leaders to assist members quickly without delays or unnecessary back-and-forth.

New Website and Lodge Leader Resources

We’ve updated our website! As part of this update, lodge leaders now have access to a dedicated resource page designed to help promote the Plan and support membership growth.

Click on “Lodge Leader Resources” under the “Resources” tab in the main navigation to find:

• Ready-to-use brochures and marketing materials for member outreach

• Enrollment and administration resources to support group participation

• Customer Portal support guides to help you manage enrollment with confidence

Everything is organized in one place so you can spend less time tracking down materials and more time engaging with your members.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If your lodge isn’t already enrolled as a group—or if you’d like more support—contact us at info@foplegal.com or call 1-800-341-6038. We’re here to support you and your members every step of the way.