PA FOP Endorses Dr. Oz, Elects Retired Lower Merion’s Regan President
From press releases
The Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge elected retired Lower Merion Police Department patrolman Joseph Regan, a lifelong Philadelphia resident, to serve as its president. The entire Regan leadership slate won the election and will serve two-year terms in office. The election concluded the Pennsylvania FOP 47th Biennial Conference at the Erie Convention Center.
“In a time when law enforcement is under intense pressure and scrutiny, it is my privilege to be elected to serve the FOP State Lodge as its new president,” said Regan. “These are unprecedented times for our profession, and my hope is that with the diverse experience my leadership team brings to the association, the brave men and women who serve our cities, towns, and boroughs across the commonwealth know they are and will be protected as they work tirelessly each day.”
Regan served as president of Lower Merion FOP Lodge 28 for four terms, the State FOP as Guard and Financial Secretary, as well as the chair of the Pennsylvania FOP Legislative Committee, and as executive director of the Pennsylvania Foundation. Joe served on the National FOP Labor Committee and as chair of the NFOP Recruitment and Retention Committee. He has served as State Lodge recording secretary since 2012. Joe is also president of the Montgomery County Police Memorial Committee.
Also at the meeting, the FOP also endorsed the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate Dr. Mehmet Oz.
“He is the candidate who will ensure police officers have the tools they need to protect the commonwealth, especially during these dangerous times,” said immediate Past President Les Neri, of Chester County Lodge 11.
“I am honored to be endorsed by the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police,” Oz said. “We owe each and every officer who bravely serves our deepest thanks. Throughout my career as a cardiothoracic surgeon, I operated on brave police officers who were injured in the line of duty. And as Pennsylvania’s next U.S. Senator, I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement for safer streets and stronger bonds in communities across Pennsylvania. We simply cannot afford more of the same with John Fetterman’s disastrous and dangerous ideas to put one-third of Pennsylvania inmates back on our streets, decriminalize all drugs, strip our police of critically needed resources, and prioritize criminals over safer communities.”
In addition to Regan and Neri, the following also were chosen to serve the FOP State Lodge: John McNesby of Philadelphia, Michael G. Lutz Lodge 5, elected to serve as first vice president; Charles Bailey of Montgomery County, Pioneer Lodge 37, PSP Delaware/Montgomery/Philadelphia, elected to serve as second vice president; Vincent J. DiCenzo Jr. of Allegheny County, Allegheny County Lodge 91, elected to serve as recording secretary; Jason Brinker of York County, Capital City Lodge 12-Harrisburg, elected to serve as financial secretary; Joseph Brown of Berks County, Berks County Lodge 71, re-elected to serve as treasurer; Kenneth Kensill of Erie County, Erie City Lodge 7, re-elected to serve as sergeant at arms; William J. Buttenbusch IV of Montgomery County, Montgomery County Lodge 14, re-elected to serve as trustee.
In addition, Christopher Eiserman of Delaware County, Delaware County Lodge 27, elected to serve as trustee; Eugene Hatcher of Lehigh County, Le-Hampton Lodge 35-Lehigh/Northampton, re-elected to serve as trustee; Justin Butler of Lackawanna County, E.B. Jermyn Lodge 2-Scranton/Dunmore, elected to serve as trustee; Robert Swartzwelder of Allegheny County, Fort Pitt Lodge 1-Pittsburgh, elected to serve as trustee; Jonathan Wyant of Lycoming County, Conservation Police Officers Lodge 114, elected to serve as trustee William Wiegman of Bucks County, Bucks County Lodge 53, elected to serve as chaplain; Tony Alsleben of Lehigh County, Queen City Lodge 10-Allentown, elected to serve as parliamentarian; John Fiorill of Lancaster County, Red Rose Lodge 16, elected to serve as national trustee.
The Fraternal Order of Police was founded in Pittsburgh in 1915 by two city patrol officers, beginning the tradition of police officers representing police officers. Today the Pennsylvania Lodge has 40,000 active and retired members and is engaged in a broad range of activities. Charitable activities include Easter Seals and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics.
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