The nation’s largest police labor organization announced its endorsement of Donald Trump for president on Friday.
The Fraternal Order of Police, which has more than 330,000 members, said in a press release (pdf) that Trump has its full support.
According to the statement, “For a candidate to receive the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police, he must receive a two-third majority of the national board, which is made up of one Trustee from each of the organization’s state lodges.”
The Hill reports that Trump made an aggressive play for support from the police union, meeting with top officials from the FOP at New York City's Trump Tower in May, and making stops on the campaign trail at local offices.
Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, declined to fill out the questionnaire necessary to win the group’s endorsement.
Chuck Canterbury, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said in his announcement Friday: “We have a candidate who declined to seek endorsement and a candidate without any record as an elected official. Mr. Trump, however, has seriously looked at the issues facing law enforcement today. He understands and supports our priorities, and our members believe he will make America safe again.”
Canterbury went on to say that Trump is a “proven leader” and “what we need for the next four years.”
He added, “I look forward to working with the Trump administration on the issues that matter most to law enforcement.”
Read more at the Fraternal Order of Police (pdf) and The Hill.