About the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA)

Since the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) began serving the needs of law enforcement personnel statewide in 1932, it has developed expertise in employment relations, collective bargaining, legislative lobbying, legal assistance for law enforcement personnel, and providing fraternal opportunities for its members.

Currently serving almost 11,000 active and retired members from over 380 locals, WPPA is a non-profit service organization.

WPPA stays in touch with the needs of its members by having its board of directors comprised of individuals elected from the membership. WPPA then meets the needs of its membership by using the experience of many individuals-business agents, attorneys, and others whose proven expertise best serves WPPA and its members.

With over 75 years of service to law enforcement personnel, the WPPA is recognized as the leading law enforcement association in the state. The WPPA President currently serves on the executive board of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).

General Membership Opportunities

Since law enforcement work is a high stress occupation, WPPA also serves the important function of providing social opportunities for members. General membership activities such as golf, bowling, and shooting tournaments give members a chance to relax, enjoy and learn from their colleagues. Members can also engage in WPPA-sponsored benevolent activities throughout the year, in addition to attending the annual WPPA convention.

Other benefits to members include: WPPA sponsored insurance plan for group rates on home and auto insurance; annual pocket calendars; member discount with National Car Rental; and the Wisconsin Police Journal.

Legislative Lobbying

Through the WPPA, our members have lobbyists working on their behalf on matters before the state legislature. The WPPA led the fight to pass the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, which established “just cause” as the standard of review for discipline against officers by employers. WPPA spends considerable time lobbying on a wide variety of criminal justice, labor and professional issues.

Employment Relations

For members and locals, WPPA provides employment relations advice, assistance, representation or referral on issues of compensation, insurance, contractual disability benefits, fringe benefits, individual rights cases and other matters involving affirmative representation.

Supervisory Officers Relations Division (SORD)

This division of the WPPA assists supervisors in negotiating working agreements, administering those agreements and representing supervisors in disciplinary matters. Membership is open to all WPPA members who are in a supervisory position.

Civilian Employee Relations Division (CERD)

This division of the WPPA was created to parallel the services now offered to members in the Law Enforcement Employee Relations division and the Supervisory Officers Relations Division. CERD has its own committee to address issues that are unique to the civilian members of the WPPA.

Law Enforcement Employee Relations (LEER)

This division is the collective bargaining arm of the WPPA for non-supervisory employees. Through collective bargaining, LEER works with and for law enforcement personnel to ensure rights and protect interests. In addition, LEER’s comprehensive, skilled representation in all areas of labor relations provides superior union power. LEER provides full service including representation on: contract administration and negotiations; job security (protection in grievance matters, arbitrations, disciplinary cases and unfair labor practices); and other specialized services in areas involving wages, hours and conditions of employment.

Wisconsin Police Journal

The Wisconsin Police Journal (WPJ) is the official publication of the WPPA. The WPJ is published quarterly and  contains information on professional issues, collective bargaining and governmental relations.  Members subscriptions are included in their dues. Members may contribute articles of special local interest for the benefit of other members of the organization.

FORWARD BAG

The WPPA owns its own fund raising and sales division that works with sponsoring locals throughout the state. Over 43 units participate in annual programs that allow local agencies to work on community and civic projects with monies raised through the Forward Bag sales campaigns. Forward Bag maintains its own office and full-time staff in Madison.