The Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police organization has announced its endorsement of a candidate in the US Senate race to replace Sen. Arlen Specter.

KYW’s Mark Abrams reports that state FOP vice president Roosevelt Poplar (above right) made the announcement:

“We are endorsing Pat because he understands that law enforcement must have the tools it needs to protect America’s families and their communities.”

Poplar says the organization representing 41,000 active and retired police officers in the state is backing Republican Pat Toomey over his Democratic opponent, Joe Sestak.

Toomey, a former congressman from Allentown, graciously accepted the support:

“Thank you very much for this endorsement. I want to tell you this means a lot to me personally, it means a lot to my campaign. I’m very grateful for your support.”

But the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police, which is part of the organization, expects to make an endorsement of its own and isn’t bound by the state organization’s decision.

Toomey met behind closed doors today with the Philadelphia FOP leadership to seek their support.  But there was no official announcement from the group after that session.

(Photo by KYW’s Mark Abrams)