Meet Chuck Knoll, New President of Local FOP

Meet Chuck Knoll, New President of Local FOP

by Brian Fox

Being a policeman is a tough job. Not only are you putting your life on the line, you have to deal with negative press when an officer makes the headlines. The Fraternal of Police serves as a way to protect police officers when problems arise. The FOP has 325,000 members nationwide. Its president of the local chapter is Chuck Knoll.

Knoll has an extensive resume. He has a master’s degree in science from Indiana State. He’s been in law enforcement since 1994. Since becoming a police officer, Knoll has served as Executive Director of the National Association of Field Training Officers, Political Action Committee Chairman for the FOP, and day supervisor for the Evansville Housing Authority. He’s been president of the FOP since January.

Besides protecting officers, the FOP also serves as a pillar to the community. According to Knoll, two organizations the FOP are closely aligned with are the Easter Seals, an FOP national, state, and local charity, and the Police Athletic League. For the Police Athletic League, or PAL, the FOP donates $60,000 a year to various organizations throughout the year. This money goes to benefit underprivileged children in the area. The PAL Camp encompasses over 50 acres of land locally that the FOP designates as an area for children to get away from their everyday lives.

Still, the primary objective of the FOP is to protect its members. A recent example that occurred locally was when four officers were suspended for accusations they mistreated a suspect. A body camera worn by one of the officers supposedly contradicts a previously signed probable cause affidavit. Evansville Police Chief Billy Bolin recommended that three of the officers involved be terminated and one get demoted. The Evansville Police Merit Commission voted against the recommendations and all four officers were able to retain their jobs. During their suspensions, the FOP offered financial assistance and legal council as the legal fees for this process were well into the thousands of dollars. Knoll admitted to CCO that there were “hard feelings” within the FOP when Bolin (also a member of FOP) recommended the firings.

The Fraternal Order of Police has served the greater good not only for police officers but for the community as a whole. With Chuck Knoll as president, this will only continue.