Membership Qualifications

Regular Members

Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all Regular members must be persons who are employed as full time (32 hours per week minimum) employees of a governmental law enforcement agency or department. Such employment must be the primary source of employment of all Regular members. All Regular members must have arrest authority, meaning they must be empowered “by statute”, to arrest offenders, as defined in their jurisdiction (other than a private citizen) at all times while on duty. Any member who was a Regular member on March 4, 2017 shall have the right to continue as a Regular member if they meet all other requirements.

Persons who have been employed and have taken an honorable separation after twenty (20) years total service as a full-time (32 hours per week minimum) employee of a governmental law enforcement agency or department are eligible for Regular membership although they may not be presently employed by such law enforcement agency or department. The person must submit letters or documentation of proof to substantiate their qualification under this section.

Retired Military Personnel who served with a job classification in law enforcement and having served in that classification for not less than twenty (20) total years before separation from the military may apply for Regular membership. The person must submit letters or documentation of proof to substantiate their qualification under this section.

Persons receiving disability income or job reclassification due to injuries received while engaged in full-time law enforcement employment or who are receiving retirement income for full-time Employment, as previously defined, are eligible for Regular membership although they are not presently employed by such law enforcement agency or department. The person must submit letters or documentation of proof to substantiate their qualification under this section.

Each Regular member must be properly licensed to operate a motorcycle by the jurisdiction in which the member resides and must own a motorcycle. Persons who otherwise qualify as Regular members, but do not presently own their own motorcycle may become members if they plan to and acquire ownership in a motorcycle within six (6) months of their acceptance of membership.

A Regular member, who because of an injury, medical or physical condition, including age related conditions, are unable to safely continue operating a motorcycle, may retain their membership as a Regular member. Members who qualify under this provision are exempt from motorcycle ownership and license requirements.

Associate Members

Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all Associate members must be persons who are employed on a part time basis (less than 32 hours per week, minimum of 96 hours per year), by a governmental law enforcement agency or department and receive monetary compensation for such employment. All Associate members must have arrest authority, meaning they must be empowered “by statute”, to arrest offenders, as defined in their jurisdiction (other than a private citizen) at all times while on duty. Any member who was an Associate member on March 4, 2017 shall have the right to continue as an Associate member if they meet all other requirements.

Persons who have been employed and have taken an honorable separation after fifteen (15) years total service as a part-time (less than 32 hours per week, minimum 96 hours per year) employee of a governmental law enforcement agency or department are eligible for Associate membership although they may not be presently employed by such law enforcement agency or department. The person must submit letters or documentation of proof to substantiate their qualification under this section.

Regular members and persons may apply for membership as an Associate member if they have served more than ten (10) years but less than twenty (20) as a full-time (32 hours per week) employee with one or more governmental law enforcement agencies or departments and have taken a separation from the employment, under honorable circumstances, and have had arrest authority, meaning they must be empowered “by statute”, to arrest offenders, as defined in their jurisdiction (other than as a private citizen) at all times while on duty. The person must submit letters or documentation of proof to substantiate their qualification under this section.

Retired Active Duty Military Personnel may apply for membership as an Associate member who served with a job classification in law enforcement and having served in that classification for more than ten (10) years, but less than twenty (20) total years in that classification before honorable separation from the military. The person must submit letters or documentation of proof to substantiate their qualification under this section.

Persons receiving disability income or job reclassification due to injuries received while engaged in the part-time law enforcement employment, as previously defined, are eligible for Associate membership although they are not presently employed by such law enforcement agency or department. The person must submit letters of proof to substantiate their qualification under this section.

Each Associate member must be properly licensed to operate a motorcycle by the jurisdiction in which the member resides and must own a motorcycle. Persons who otherwise qualify as Associate member, but do not presently own their own motorcycle may become member if they plan to and acquire ownership in a motorcycle within six (6) months of their acceptance of membership.

An Associate member, who because of an injury or medical or physical condition, including age related conditions, are unable to safely continue operating a motorcycle may retain their membership as an Associate member. Members who qualify under this provision are exempt from motorcycle ownership and license requirements.

Honorary Members

Honorary members must be persons who have substantially contributed to the promotion of the Corporation and to the purposes for which the Corporation is organized. Honorary membership in any given chapter may not exceed more than 10% of the previous years membership of Regular, Associate and Life Members.

Special Honorary Members

Special Honorary

Membership may be granted to an ordained licensed member of a recognized religious order for the position of Chapter Chaplain. To be qualified, a Special Honorary Member must have a minimum of One (1) years’ experience with a church or ministry as a person of leadership (such as a Priest, Rabbi, Minister, Pastor, etc...) or an authorized Law Enforcement Chaplain. Documentation of experience to be submitted with application. Special Honorary memberships are limited to one (1) per chapter and will not affect the chapter’s ten percent (10%) honorary limit.

In Canada look under the Criminal Code, Sec. 2, “peace officer” definition and your duties must include Sec. 495(1). Special Constables do not qualify in Canada. Auxiliary Officers qualify as 'Associate Members'.

This link will take you to our International Web Site. Complete this application form on line, print it  Blue Knights Application in PDF format, and take it to your closest Chapter.

 Note, no other application form will be accepted. This form is hard coded to ensure the latest information has been provided.                        https://www.blueknights.org/membership.html.

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