Washington, DC - We have received several inquiries about the process which led to the National FOP issuing a statement regarding the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Approximately a week before President Biden announced the nomination, the National FOP was contacted by White House staff members who asked for our reaction to the three known candidates – Judges Childs, Kruger, and Jackson. We immediately began researching court rulings by each potential nominee. More specifically, we researched their stances on police labor, qualified immunity, and USC 18, Section 242, which governs use of force, along with a range of related issues.

We found that of the three candidates, Judge Jackson had the most moderate court rulings when compared to the other two. Our research disclosed that Judge Jackson is a woman of superior intellect with a reverence for the law and a respect for many of the precedents vitally important to police officers. She also has been vigorous in upholding the collective bargaining rights we have fought so long and hard to earn and keep.

The FOP speaks up on issues of importance in real-time rather than whining about them afterwards. Over the past 30 years, that’s the way we’ve operated. We speak out on Presidential nominees, cabinet officers, agency heads, and other significant appointments. Over time we’ve taken positions on hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces of legislation and proposed regulations.

The statement I offered reflected our experience in the past with Judge Jackson and the results of our research. The statement pointed out that while there are areas in which we do not totally agree with Judge Jackson, she has treated the FOP and our concerns fairly. Our firsthand experience and research point to her objectivity and integrity in interpreting the law.

While there are many arguments to be made over who should or should not have been considered for the Supreme Court, we must remember that the selection is at the sole discretion of the President of the United States. After a volatile year for law enforcement, I am heartened that President Biden sought the opinion of the FOP.

I am sharing this information to provide a better understanding of the process. My job as National FOP President is to navigate the often-volatile political landscape in Washington, D.C. As long as I am the National FOP President, the collective voices of our 364,000 members nationwide will continue to be heard in the shaping of decisions that impact us all.

Brothers and sisters, that is why we’re the largest, most effective law enforcement organization in the country. Remember, the ultimate goal of the FOP is to help shape American history with a view to the safety and security of every citizen and every law enforcement officer.