TMPA or CLEAT?

[CAL]

Which one should I go with? I'm not worried about the Administrative type coverage, mainly the criminal/civil coverage that is afforded.

Also, I found this comparison interesting:
http://www.tmpa.org/content/uploads/TMPAvCLEAT.pdf

www.tmpa.org (http://www.tmpa.org)
www.cleat.org (http://www.cleat.org)

[CCTX50]

I was a member of CLEAT from 1991 to about 2001. I have been a member of the Fraternal Order of Police from 1997 to present. The FOP is the largest LE Organization in the world and has been around since 1915. The FOP is a full service organization that continues to grow in Texas. Look into CLEAT, TMPA and FOP. Compare all three and talk with officers that are members of them. Get their experiences good and bad and make an informed decision as to which one will suit your needs the best. Consider the costs, what benefits are provided, how do you obtain those benefits, are their hurdles that you have to jump to obtain benefits and so forth. Basically do your own research and join one. In this day and time you have to be covered. CLEAT and TMPA in recent history were going to merge but did not do so. Why I do not know. Both have the majority of members in Texas but the FOP is coming on strong. FOP has only been in Texas for a little over 20 years but is very strong and getting stronger. Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking CLEAT or TMPA, I just feel that the FOP is by far a much better organization. An organization run by cops for cops.

Add FOP on the Poll.

If you want to know more I would be happy to help out.

Stay Safe!!!

[Broke Hoss]

I can only speak of CLEAT, because they're the only 1 I've had experience with. From what I've seen, it's been good. I know 1 officer that had thier job saved by CLEAT working for them. I still think the officer was wrong, but the CLEAT attny did what the guy's dues pay him to do. We have a local attny on call; he's 1 everyone likes & has been on scene of a couple of OIS's almost before the brass was. Labor stuff is handled by 1 shipped in from Dallas or Austin, but they're more familiar with Civil Service than anyone local. CLEAT has helped the local assn alot. They advise us during Meet/Confer and were here during the ruckus over furlough days.

I do like that you have the choice. Since the local affiliated with CLEAT; if you join 1 you join the other.

I agree with CCTX50; talk to local guys & see what the experience has been with each around there. And look at the FOP as well.

[Feet]

CLEAT has worked well for our dept. I hear TMPA is more personable. The comparison chart is interesting.

I think either will do you right.

[CCTX50]

I was just looking at the original post. The link is to a comparison between CLEAT and TMPA. I wonder why TMPA did not put FOP in there? I am a firm believer that the Fraternal Order of Police is by far the premier Law Enforcement Organization. Over 328,000 strong and over 95 years in the business. The FOP is run BY cops FOR cops. Look into it and see for yourself. Stay safe out there and make sure you are covered one way or the other.

[CAL]

I just signed up with TMPA. $18/month isn't bad for the reserve package.

[DD78]

What is this joining an association stuff? Up here, we're union. IBPO International Brotherhood of Police Officers) Local #312. They negotiate our contracts and provide legal counsel if we get jammed up.

Same idea just a little weaker I gather?

[Feet]

What is this joining an association stuff? Up here, we're union. IBPO International Brotherhood of Police Officers) Local #312. They negotiate our contracts and provide legal counsel if we get jammed up.

Same idea just a little weaker I gather?


They might cover SOME legal but if you get into a big-ass suit which goes around 1 mil in dirtbag...I mean LAWYER fees, do they cover you? This is what CLEAT and TMPA do.
Chickity check out your union's MAXIMUM paid legal fees. You might be satisfied...or not.:handface:

[DD78]

They might cover SOME legal but if you get into a big-ass suit which goes around 1 mil in dirtbag...I mean LAWYER fees, do they cover you? This is what CLEAT and TMPA do.
Chickity check out your union's MAXIMUM paid legal fees. You might be satisfied...or not.:handface:

A good point...

However, at this time, there is no cap to the amount of legal fees that IPBO will pay for a duty related incident. Basically, if I involved in an internal investigation or criminal/civil rights case due to conduct while on duty, there is no cap on legal fees.

IBPO provides the attorney, and what I've seen, they provide some pretty good ones. They have guys on staff that do cop shit only.

[lillawangle07]

What do the two stand for and what's the difference?

[CAL]

What do the two stand for and what's the difference?
Google is your friend.

[Courtcop]

I am a District Court Bailiff, I have watched TMPA Lawyers Defend three of my fellow officers over the years, they are very good at what they do. They even got an Officer off that probably should have been convicted. I have continually been impressed with the legal defense arrangement through TMPA, that is why they get my vote and my dues every month.:thup:

[Willard]

I have TMPA. Never had to use it and never seen any of the used. It seems TMPA does a lot for LE across the state, though.

[Swat791]

I am going with TMPA now...
I was with CLEAT and was not impressed with their service!

[Willard]

I think the moral of the story is have something though. Don't go without

[kpd117]

I have FOP and TMPA. I just hope I never need to use them! LOL!

[jtovar]

I've been a TMPA member since I started my career. It's like my vest, I won't work without some type of protection. I've never had the opportunity to use their services personally, but when I served as the President of our local POA, I had and still have a very good working relationship with them. They were very helpful in our successful run to obtain Civil Service. I have good friends with SAPD and APD, both big CLEAT agencies, and others in smaller agencies that also use CLEAT. The impression I have been left with is if the majority of your dept. isn't with CLEAT, well you may be up a creek without a paddle.

I can tell you 1st hand though that the response time touted by TMPA is legit, even in the middle of the night. This is very reasuring for a local POA and the officers involved in a critical incident.

[Jeffy]

I have had CLEAT for years, have used them a few times and they were good for me.

First time I used them would have cost me thousands in legal fees. I called them just after midnight and they had lawyers on scene by daylight.

They walked me thru a difficult situation then and have been there for me everytime I needed them.

Friends have had same success with TMPA. Just join one, they're worth the peace of mind.