Retired Muscogee sheriff’s deputy elected president of Georgia Fraternal Order of Police

Randy Robertson, a retired Muscogee County Sheriff’s Deputy, has been elected president of the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police after serving eight years on the executive board as first vice president.

Robertson, 53, of Cataula, Ga., was sworn in late Wednesday to the two-year term during the FOP’s state conference at St. Simons Island. He has 30 years in law enforcement and retired from the sheriff’s office in October.

As president, Roberstson will defend the rights of law enforcement officers in the organization with more than 5,000 members.

“I am overwhelmed and honored that the members of the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police have chosen to place their trust in me as President,” Robertson said in a release. “The mission of the FOP is to protect and defend the rights of law enforcement officers. I am dedicated to the men and women who wear the badge. They are willing to give their lives in service to the communities they serve and I am honored to have the opportunity to fight for them.”

Robertson said his main duties include supporting FOP lodges and presidents across the state. He is the chief spokesperson on issues and manages the legislative agenda in Atlanta. There is much on the organization’s plate now after recent shootings in Dallas, Texas, Baton Rouge, La., and Kansas City. There is also a protest at the FOP headquarters in Washington, he said of the national organization with 330,000 members nationwide.

“We’ve got a lot on our plate,” he said. “That is a big part of our focus.”

Robertson said the volunteer position of president is one that he grew into over the years.

“Protecting my brothers and sisters in law enforcement always has been a passion of mine,” he said. “I’d love to say I found the FOP at the same time the FOP found me.”

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Retired Muscogee sheriff’s deputy elected president of Georgia Fraternal Order of Police."