The National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF) is a nationally renowned and congressionally recognized IRS approved 501 (c) (3) that provides free medical and legal support services to the law enforcement community, as well as funds a variety of public safety and law enforcement initiatives.
The National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF) was established in 1995 by retired Federal Agent Joseph Occhipinti and his wife, Angela when it became common practice that dedicated law enforcement officials were becoming targets of increased armed assaults and fabricated misconduct allegations by criminal elements. Joe who had spent 18 years as a PBA President realized firsthand the importance of establishing a non-profit police foundation to “protect and support” the efforts law enforcement officials nationwide.
The National Police Defense Foundation is a congressionally recognized and IRS designated approved 501 (c) (3) organization whose mission statement is to provide free medical and legal support services to the law enforcement community. In addition, the NPDF is credited for establishing successful law enforcement initiatives that have been recognized worldwide by the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Governors, State Legislatures, United Nations, Civil Rights organizations, Foreign Governments, among others.
It should be noted that all members of the Executive and Advisory board, except for the Treasurer, are volunteers and do not receive any annual stipend or financial remuneration for their efforts. The NPDF is headquartered in Morganville, New Jersey.
Today, the National Police Defense Foundation has grown to over 210,000 members and supporters nationwide. In addition, NPDF membership and representation has been expanded internationally to Asia, Europe, South America, Central America, The Caribbean and the Middle East. What makes the NPDF unique is that it offers membership to civilians and professionals to establish positive police relations.
The National Police Defense Foundation to better address the individual needs of a specific law enforcement group established independent NPDF coalitions. At present there are the (1) Police Chiefs Coalition (2) Firefighters and EMS Coalition (3) NPDF Italian Coalition (4) Federal Officers Coalition. These coalitions fund individual NPDF program service initiatives and have an appointed administrator.
The National Police Defense Foundation holds two annual award dinners in New York and New Jersey that benefits the “Operation Kids” program. This prestigious awards charity event recognizes distinguished civilians, legislators, law enforcement, media personalities, elected officials for public service, meritorious service and valor. The NPDF also grants five annual $1,000 scholarships to deserving students whose are either members or their immediate family. The NPDF Annual Awards Dinner is held at “Russo’s on the Bay”, Howard Beach, New York.
The NPDF’s mission statement is to “Protect & Support” the interests of law enforcement officers. Too often, dedicated law enforcement officials are victimized by criminal elements that fabricate allegations of misconduct. When the NPDF suspects that an officer is being unjustly prosecuted or has been falsely convicted it will support the efforts of the officer for complete vindication. The NPDF will also consider establishing a legal defense fund wherein 100% of the tax-deductible donations can go to the officer’s defense. The NPDF has been credited for exposing many of these injustices on national news programs, such as 60 Minutes, NBC Dateline, Fox News, CNN, among others.
The NPDF is nationally renowned for providing free medical and psychological services to law enforcement officials who have become disabled in the line of duty. The NPDF will periodically establish upon request a medical fund to help the officer pay outstanding medical debt. Due to the serious increase of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) and police suicides, the NPDF has an affiliation with the “COP 2 COP” program which offers free confidential counseling to active and retired law enforcement and public safety officers via a 24/7 hotline.
The “Operation Kids” program is a multi-faceted NPDF child safety program that (1) distributes free child fingerprint/DNA kits to parents (2) sponsors youth athletic events (3) posts periodic rewards on missing and kidnapped children (4) issues annual scholarships (5) funds Project Pedophile and (6) arranges lifesaving operations and medical treatment for critically ill children worldwide. This program was personally endorsed by John Walsh of America’s Most Wanted and profiled on the “CBS Early Show”.
The NPDF “Operation Kids” program also established “Project SAFE NET” in order to address the serious increase of pedophile activity on the internet that has been victimizing our children. The program will reward any child with a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond for information that leads to the federal arrest and conviction of any pedophile operating on the internet.
Entered into the “Congressional Record” in 1995, the NPDF trademarked “Safe Cop” program is nationally renowned for posting up to a $10,000 reward for public information that results in the arrest and conviction of anyone who shoots a member of law enforcement, anywhere in the United States. The posting of the Safe Cop reward has been instrumental in bringing to justice several cop killers nationwide.
The “Safe Cop” program was also expanded to provide critical medical care and counseling to disabled law enforcement personnel worldwide. The NPDF will periodically establish a medical fund for the disabled officer or an immediate family member when they are financially unable to pay for medical treatment or have outstanding medical debt.
It should be noted that “Safe Cop” was credited for providing free grief counseling, emergency financial assistance, meals, lodging, and supplies for many of the police and first responder victims of the September 11th terrorist attack. In the memory of the police officers killed on September 11th, the NPDF commissioned a world-renowned sculptor to create the September 11th Police Memorial (insert trademark logo here) which is in Orange County, New York.
The “Save a First Responder” program is a new “Safe Cop” law enforcement initiative that addresses the serious increase of assaults on first responders which includes Police, Fire and EMS Personnel. The “Save a First Responder” program will post up to $10,000 reward for public information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person who commits a criminal act that results in a line of duty death of a first responder. This program is funded and administrated by the NPDF Firefighters & EMS foundation. (www.fireemsfoundation.com).
The “Save a K-9 Officer” program is a “Safe Cop” law enforcement initiative that addresses the serious increase of armed assaults on K9 police dogs. The program will provide upon request donated bullet proof vests to law enforcement agencies.