The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States and was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America’s law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action and education.

Founded in 1978, NAPO is the strongest unified voice supporting law enforcement officers in the United States. NAPO represents more than 1,000 police units and associations, and more than 241,000 sworn law enforcement officers who share a common dedication to vigorous and effective representation on behalf of our nation’s law enforcement officers.

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Janus v. AFSCME

In a 5-4 decision, authored by Associate Justice Samuel Alito, the Court overruled its 1977 decision in Abood v. Detroit, holding today that: “The State’s extraction of agency fees from nonconsenting public-sector employees violates the First Amendment. Abood erred in con­cluding otherwise, and stare decisis cannot support it. Abood is therefore overruled.”

Because this is a First Amendment case, decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, this decision is binding in every State.

The Court also rejected arguments raised by NAPO and others in its amicus curie brief, finding that:  ”Neither of Abood’s two justifications for agency fees passes mus­ter under this standard. First, agency fees cannot be upheld on the ground that they promote an interest in “labor peace.”   and, “Second, avoiding “the risk of ‘free riders,’ is not a compelling state interest. Free-rider “arguments . . . are gener­ally insufficient to overcome First Amendment objections,”

The Court’s opinion did recognize, though, that Unions are free to refuse to represent non-members in disciplinary matters, and to charge non-members for the cost of representing them if the Union chooses to do so.  (footnote 6, page 17).

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, AS THE COURT ITSELF RECOGNIZED, UNIONS CAN BE AND ARE SUCCESSFUL IN STATES WHERE AGENCY FEES ARE ALREADY PROHIBITED, AND THAT CERTAINLY INCLUDES MANY OF OUR NAPO MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS’ STATES.

NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO TURN TO OUR OWN INTERNAL STRENGTHS WITHIN NAPO, AND OUR MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS IN RIGHT TO WORK STATES HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ASSIST AND EDUCATE THEIR SISTER ORGANIZATIONS IN STATES THAT WILL NOW PROHIBIT AGENCY FEES.

OUR UPCOMING CONVENTION AND OUR FALL LEGAL SEMINAR ARE GREAT PLACES TO START.

Click image below to review brief.

NAPO's Executive Director speaks at
Phoenix press conference, regarding use of force

(Mr. Johnson is introduced at the 24 minute mark)