One of the newest Fraternal Order of Police lodges has set as its goal improving support of law enforcement.

That ultimately will make Dallas County citizens better off because of the improvement of public safety, said Jim Glass, president of Lodge 76.

The lodge began in November after a charter from the Alabama State FOP.

“We saw that law enforcement (officials) here were not members of the FOP,” said Glass, a retired member of the Selma Police Department. “Our benefit to them is the better education of law enforcement, and that benefits everyone else.”

The local lodge was chartered with 16 members and holds its meetings in the Valley Grande Public Safety Building. There are members from Dallas, Perry and Chilton counties.

The national FOP has more than 325,000 members and 2,100 chapters. The organization is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of the public through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation.

One major part of the FOP’s work will be raising money for projects.

“We’re trying to get established so we can have some fundraisers,” Glass said.