The Crescent City Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police provides its members with an outstanding legal plan.  The FOP Legal Plan provides an attorney to any member who is the subject of an administrative or criminal investigation.  It will also provide an attorney if you become the defendant in a civil law suit arising out of the course and scope of your employment.  But wait, there’s more. . .

Fraternal Order of Police (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The FOP Legal Plan will also provide you with an attorney if you are a witness in an administrative or criminal investigation.  The FOP Legal Plan will provide you with an attorney if you become the subject of an administrative or criminal investigation because of an incident that occurred while you were off-duty.

The FOP Legal Plan will provide you with an attorney for any Civil Service appeals or other Civil Service matters.  If the matter warrants action beyond the Civil Service Commission, the FOP Legal Plan will provide an attorney for appeals through the court system.

The FOP Legal Plan provides complimentary notary services.  The FOP Legal Plan will pay for the first two hours of legal services for ANY personal legal matter.

Finally, the FOP Legal Plan will reimburse you for up to five suspension days if you choose not to appeal (you have to be represented by an FOP attorney to qualify).

These are benefits you pay for every other week by payroll deduction.  You should take advantage of these benefits.

**PLEASE NOTE that the above specifically relates to the FOP Legal Plan as administered by Crescent City Lodge #2.  Certain benefits, such as the two hours on any personal legal matter, are not available through the National Legal Plan and may not be available to members employed by agencies other than the New Orleans Police Department.  If you have any questions and are not employed by the New Orleans Police Department, please call me or the FOP Legal Plan at 1-800-341-6038.

What types of investigations should I call about?

Any type of investigation.

People frequently tell me that they did not call, or were not sure if they should call, because the investigation seemed minor.  It is as if somehow this minor investigation would be an imposition on the attorney.  Nonsense.  Wouldn’t you use your health insurance for the most minor appointment with your doctor?

In addition, you need to be represented by an FOP attorney in order to qualify for the Salary Reimbursement Option (SRO).  You don’t need to have “something to worry about” in order to call.

When should I call?

Immediately.  You should call as soon as you learn that you are either an accused or witness in an administrative or criminal investigation.

You should also call if you receive a letter from Civil Service about the department’s request for an extension of time.

Also, it is almost never too late to call.  Just because you didn’t have an attorney when you made a statement doesn’t mean you don’t get an attorney for the disciplinary hearing or the Civil Service appeal.

Finally, you should call if you have any question about an investigation or the process of conducting these investigations.

Who should I call?

If you know one of the FOP attorneys, you can call that person directly.  If you do not know who to call, you can call Jim Gallagher at 504-442-4050.  You can contact me directly by email, phone, or text.