ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Fraternal Order of Police Associates Lodge No. 13 is recruiting a select number of applicants for membership.

Membership applications can be obtained by emailing President Sherri VanTassel at svantassel@belmontsheriffohio.com. Membership applications have to be reviewed and approved by the parent organization, Belmont County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 6.

Once an application is approved for membership, the applicant will be sworn in, pay the membership fee and is expected to be an active member. Lodge 13 meets once a month.

The FOPA Lodge No. 13 is a civilian affiliate of the Fraternal Order of Police Belmont County Lodge No. 6. Our members are friends and families of law enforcement officers, responsible and respected business persons, professional men and women, and citizens from all walks of life — people willing to devote a portion of their time and efforts toward assisting the various law enforcement agencies of our communities, states and nation.

Benefits of FOPA Lodge No. 13 membership include:

∫ Fraternalism with our law enforcement family.

∫ Professional membership cards, decals and emblems which are recognized nationally.

∫ State of Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles special FOPA Ohio license plates.

∫ Recognition of outstanding achievements through various awards programs.

∫ The opportunity to attend and vote at the State Conference.

∫ Access to our facilities, including the building and shooting range.

“FOPA Lodge No. 13 members are here to support our FOP Lodge No. 6 with the purpose of increasing members’ understanding of the rights, duties and problems of law enforcement officers; of fostering respect for them; and of bettering conditions under which they serve society. We accomplish this through fundraising, public relations, as well as legislative and educational efforts. It is our aim and objective to support law enforcement throughout Belmont County in every way possible,” VanTassel states in a news release.

Money raised supports various activities, especially those in conjunction with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the facilities owned and operated by the FOP Lodge No. 6. The FOPA Lodge No. 13 also supports a scholarship for students who want to pursue law enforcement as a career.

If you are an adult who is interested in supporting Belmont County law enforcement, consider requesting an application and arranging to have a discussion with FOPA No. 13 officers.