The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the nation’s largest police union, gave the GOP presidential nominee its endorsement after he received support from more than two-thirds of the group’s national board, reports The Hill. “[Trump] 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,” said Chuck Canterbury, FOP national president. “He’s made a real commitment to America’s law enforcement and we’re proud to make a commitment to him and his campaign by endorsing his candidacy.”
With labor groups overwhelmingly behind Clinton, Trump made an aggressive play for support from the police union. He met with top FOP officials at Trump Tower in May, and he has made stops on the campaign trail at the union’s local chapters. “I’m on your side 1,000 percent,” Trump told an FOP chapter in North Carolina in August. “What you do is incredible.” The FOP had expressed anger at Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for declining to fill out a questionnaire necessary to win the group’s endorsement. The FOP did not endorse a presidential candidate in 2012 after backing Sen. John McCain (R-Az.) in 2008. The group has not endorsed a Democratic presidential nominee since Bill Clinton in 1996.