WHO WE ARE
The ESFLEA was founded in New York City in 1995 by a group of USINS Inspectors with common interests… their heritage and their desire to improve the professionalism of their agency. Rebuffed by their agency, the ESFLEA founders decided to expand the scope of their fraternal and social organization by including all federal law enforcement agencies.
In 1997, ESFLEA incorporated under Section 402 of the New York State Non-Profit Corporation Laws, and was soon after registered with the Internal Revenue Service and the New York State Department of Taxation as a tax-exempt organization. Soon after, ESFLEA was recognized and chartered by the National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies as the only nationwide organization of federal law enforcement and public safety personnel of Irish and Gaelic descent.
Currently, the ESFLEA has hundreds of members across the U.S., in Canada, Europe, and Asia, working for or retired from over 30 Federal Agencies, and the U.S. Military. The ESFLEA has an elected National Executive Board which oversees the daily operations and a Corporate Board of Directors, The Brehon Council. Annual membership fees are currently only $20, payable upon application and subsequently every January.
NORTHERN IRELAND
The ESFLEA has been very active in the pursuit of peace and justice for all in Northern Ireland. President Tom Smart, in particular, has participated in international observations overseeing the activities of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and assisting the besieged residents of Garvaghy Road. Even as the peace process continues in Ulster, there is still much work to be done. If you’d like to participate, please let us know.
PREJUDICE & IGNORANCE
Several years ago, a greeting card company came out with a card mocking the Great Famine. This card’s subject was “The Couch Potato Famine”. The Rocky Mountains Regional Coordinator, Thomas Mullowney, spotted this insensitive product, and he spearheaded ESFLEA’s successful efforts to have this cold-hearted card removed from the market.
Just last year, ESFLEA stepped up to the plate for justice and fairness when an Irish alien-rights special interest group honored radical activist Martin Sheen in Philadelphia. Sheen is an outspoken supporter of convicted murderer Mumia Abu-Jamal, who cold-bloodedly executed Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner (www.danielfaulkner.com). To honor a support of his killer in Faulkner’s home town was the height of insensitivity, and ESFLEA condemned this group for its actions.
If you are proud of your Irish heritage and desire to protect it against racism and prejudice, then the ESFLEA is the place for you!
PARADES
There’s still plenty of room for fun and socializing with ESFLEA We regularly participate in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, as well as the celebrated Bagpipe march to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. during Police Week.