FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
CONTACT: TIM RICHARDSON
8 JUNE
2009
(202) 547-8189


FOP and eBay Strike Deal on Sale of FOP items


Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of
Police, announced today that eBay, Inc. has finally agreed to
prohibit the sale of certain items bearing the FOP insignia.

"Obviously, I am very pleased that we were able to work with eBay
officials to change company policy with respect to the sale of the
FOP's items," Canterbury said.  "Once they understood and recognized
the dangers officers might face if they were deceived by an FOP badge
or member identifier, they acted swiftly and in good faith to make
the changes we requested."

The FOP adopted a resolution at its 58th National Biennial Conference
in Louisville, Kentucky, calling for eBay to halt sales of items
bearing the FOP insignia and other police identifiers.  In its
initial contact with eBay, the FOP pointed out the public safety
risks of allowing non-law enforcement personnel to access such items,
but the company allowed the sales to continue.  Further dialogue with
the online vendor led to a more productive engagement, culminating in
an official change of policy which became effective on Friday, 5 June.

"I am very pleased with both the outcome and with eBay's willingness
to work directly with us," Canterbury said.  "They really came
through and demonstrated that they are a reliable and responsible
corporate citizen."

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor
organization in the United States, with more than 327,000 members.