Founded in 1936 to safeguard police pensions, the Policemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has grown into Illinois' top police association. Through the PBPA, the Policemen's Benevolent Labor Committee is a member of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), a coalition of nationwide police unions and associations organized to advance the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action and education. NAPO represents more than 200,000 full time and retired sworn police officers.