By Jason Stverak

As our nation commemorates National Police Week, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) is proud to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of America’s law enforcement officers. This week is not only a time for solemn remembrance but also a moment to uplift the institutions that serve those who protect us—chief among them, police unions and police credit unions.

The relationship between credit unions and law enforcement is deep and longstanding. Police credit unions were often founded in the mid-20th century by officers who recognized a pressing need: to create financial institutions that understood the unique risks and rhythms of police life. 

Growing in Strength

Today, those institutions have grown in strength and significance, providing specialized services to hundreds of thousands of members nationwide.

Take The Police Credit Union of California, founded in 1953. Its “End of Watch Debt Forgiveness” program clears qualifying loan balances in the event an officer dies in the line of duty—bringing peace of mind to families during their darkest hour. Their “10-8 Loan” helps cover the cost of duty gear, firearms, or academy fees, supporting recruits as they begin a career in public safety. These are not abstract benefits—they are targeted, compassionate solutions for real-world needs, developed by those who understand the law enforcement experience intimately.

National Police Federal Credit Union, part of the Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union family, similarly extends membership to Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) members and their families across the country. From financial education and wellness counseling to tailored savings plans, these institutions ensure that officers and their loved ones have access to financial tools that reflect their service and sacrifice.

Foundational Values

What makes police credit unions stand out is not simply the products they offer, but the mission they fulfill. At their core, they embody the foundational values of the credit union movement: people helping people. They offer trust, compassion, and community—not just banking.

That mission is one the Defense Credit Union Council knows well. Just as police protect our streets, the military defends our freedoms. And just as there are credit unions dedicated to police officers, there are credit unions on bases and in veteran communities committed to our nation’s warriors. These two communities—law enforcement and the military—are bound by shared values: duty, service, sacrifice, and resilience.

Not Just Symbolism

This connection is not merely symbolic. Many veterans transition into careers in law enforcement after military service. The discipline, integrity, and sense of mission cultivated in the armed forces transfer naturally into policing. Defense credit unions and police credit unions often serve overlapping populations, and we share a common goal: to provide financial empowerment to those who serve and protect.

It is for this reason that we at DCUC believe police credit unions are not only critical to the law enforcement community—they are vital to the credit union industry as a whole. They remind us of the power of mission-based finance. They demonstrate that tailored, community-rooted financial services can outperform impersonal, profit-driven alternatives. And they prove that when we invest in the people who serve, we strengthen the entire fabric of society.

Powerful Results

Moreover, police unions play a parallel role in protecting those who protect us. They negotiate fair compensation, advocate for resources and training, and provide a collective voice that champions officer safety and welfare. When unions work hand-in-hand with credit unions, the results are powerful: holistic support systems that nurture the physical, mental, and financial wellbeing of our public safety officers.

As chief advocacy officer of DCUC, I call on policymakers, industry leaders, and the broader public to recognize and reinforce this ecosystem of support. These credit unions are not fringe institutions—they are essential. They deserve the same protections, opportunities, and respect afforded to any mission-driven financial institution. Whether on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures, or within regulatory agencies, we must ensure that police credit unions are empowered to do what they do best: serve those who serve.

Time for a Salute

This National Police Week, let us not only remember the fallen but stand beside the living. Let us salute the badge, support the union, and strengthen the credit unions that serve our protectors.

At DCUC, we are honored to do just that.

Jason Stverak is chief advocacy officer with the Defense Credit Union Council.