At Justice Federal, we understand what it means to serve. We realize service is a calling — a lifelong dedication and commitment.
In 1935, amid the Great Depression, 12 employees of the Department of Justice answered the call to serve when they pooled their money together to extend loans to fellow employees in need. With just $137 in assets, these 12 visionaries laid the foundation for what has now become a financial pillar of hope and opportunity for members of the justice and law enforcement community.
Today, Justice Federal has the distinct honor of serving over 63,000 members. As a member-owned and not-for-profit organization, Justice Federal always puts the financial needs of its members first. Membership is open to all Department of Justice employees, state and local law enforcement, retirees, their families, contractor personnel and donor members of Concerns of Police Survivors.
For nearly 90 years, Justice Federal has upheld the Credit Union philosophy of “People Helping People” and has changed the future for many — and today, maybe yours.
The law enforcement community isn’t just a community; it’s a family.
Justice Federal is more than a credit union. When you join Justice Federal, you become a member of a family that stands by you throughout every stage of your life, which is just one of many reasons the Credit Union has partnered with Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)—they, too, understand the importance of family.
C.O.P.S. was founded in 1984 with 110 individual members and has since grown to over 75,000 survivors. Survivors include spouses, children, adult children, parents, siblings, fiancés, significant others, extended family, co-workers and suicide survivors as determined by the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022 criteria.
C.O.P.S. programs include the National Police Survivors’ Conference held each May during National Police Week; scholarships; peer support at the national, state and local levels; C.O.P.S. Kids Counseling Reimbursement Program; the C.O.P.S. Kids Summer Camp; C.O.P.S. Teens Outward Bound Adventure for young adults; special retreats for spouses, parents, siblings, adult children, extended family and co-workers; trial and parole support; and other assistance programs.
C.O.P.S. knows that a survivor’s level of distress is directly affected by the agency’s response to the tragedy. C.O.P.S., therefore, offers training and assistance to law enforcement agencies nationwide on how to respond to the tragic loss of a member of the law enforcement profession.
Justice Federal is honored to partner with C.O.P.S. to help make an even greater impact on members of the justice and law enforcement community and their families to ensure officers who die in the line of duty are never forgotten and their surviving family members and co-workers will never walk their “new normal” alone.
Financial wellness
The work of creating a safer world never stops, which is why Justice Federal is passionate about giving back to those who serve and protect our communities every day.
As agencies across the country build health and wellness programs, Justice Federal has partnered to offer financial wellness services for the law enforcement community. We understand the needs of law enforcement, and we understand that each person’s financial journey is unique to where they are in life’s journey.
We believe in the importance of treating each member as an individual and treating every moment as one that matters. We strive to build a meaningful relationship one member at a time. Whether it’s helping to send a child to college, buy a new car or obtain a first mortgage — where you will raise a family or live comfortably into old age, that’s how we help. That’s how it all comes together.
Justice Federal will be on hand to discuss financial wellness at the C.O.P.S. Law Enforcement Wellness and Trauma Conference, October 31–November 3, in Orlando, Florida. The conference focuses on trauma and wellness and proactively addresses the cumulative stressors that can occur throughout an officer’s career. To register to attend the conference, visit tinyurl.com/fedc3mth.
Celebrating 40 years
Justice Federal is proud to sponsor the C.O.P.S. 40th Anniversary Blue Honor Gala this May during National Police Week. This formal event brings together law enforcement, survivors and peer supporters to honor and celebrate the service of countless fallen heroes and to express deep appreciation and say thank you to all who serve.
Throughout National Police Week, Credit Union employees will volunteer their time to work in the onsite COPS Shop, and the Credit Union’s branch managers will volunteer their time at a Build-A-Bear kids program for children, step-children and siblings who have lost a parent or sibling to a line-of-duty death.
In addition, throughout the month of May, to honor members of the justice and law enforcement community and their families, Justice Federal is launching special offers and celebratory activities in commemoration of National Police Week. Members can enjoy the following offers:
- Receive an introductory rate of 0% for 18 months when you open a Concerns of Police Survivors Visa awards credit card, followed by a low, non-variable rate of 11.90%.
- Open a six-month Share, Traditional or Roth IRA certificate at a 5% APY, more than three times the national average.
- Open a nine-month Jumbo Share Certificate at a 5.25% APY, new money deposits of $100,000-plus.
- Open a Freedom Savings account with Freedom Checking and a direct deposit of $500 or more and earn a 4.20% APY on balances up to $10,000.
- Honor a fallen hero during National Police Week by sending us a photo of the fallen hero or snapping a photo of a memento from your loved one’s time serving the justice and law enforcement community. Justice Federal will donate to C.O.P.S. for every photo published. The deadline to upload photos is June 1, 2024. Photos may be uploaded to jfcu.org/Honor.
For more information on the value and benefits of membership, please visit:
- Justice Federal Credit Union at jfcu.org/LawEnforcement
- C.O.P.S. at ConcernsOfPoliceSurvivors.org
C.O.P.S. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. C.O.P.S. programs and services are funded by grants and donations.
- APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Subject to credit approval. An introductory rate will apply for the 18-month period immediately following the date your account is established. If you have previously received a credit card from us within the last three years, the 18-month introductory rate will not apply to new credit cards. Visa’s Zero-Liability Policy does not apply to ATM transactions or to PIN transactions not processed by Visa, or if you were grossly negligent or fraudulent in the handling of your card. Proof of reasonable income required. Credit card subject to the following: Cash advance fee, convenience check fee: either 2% of the advance or $10, whichever is greater ($50 maximum), Foreign transaction fees: 1% of each foreign currency transaction in U.S. dollars or 1% of each U.S. dollar transaction that occurs in a foreign country. Credit cards have no annual fee, balance transfer fee or transaction fee.
- APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APY is subject to change without notice. Rate effective April 1, 2024. Minimum balance of $500 required. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal from certificate accounts. Fees or other conditions may reduce earnings. Six-month certificate national average is 1.65% Annual Percentage Yield, Courtesy of bank rate as of March 18, 2024. Justice National or Beyond the Badge account relationship rate includes a .10% (10 basis point) increase on the new certificate. Certificate rate increases effective by the end of day on date of opening or renewal. Justice National or Beyond the Badge account and certificate must be under the same account number.
- APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APY is subject to change without notice. Rate effective April 1, 2024. Minimum balance of $100,000 required. The rate includes a .10% (10 basis point) Justice National or Beyond the Badge Checking Account Relationship rate increase on the new certificate. Certificate rate increases effective by the end of day on date of opening or renewal. JNA/Beyond the Badge account and certificate must be under the same account number. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal from certificate accounts. Fees or other conditions may reduce earnings. New money deposits are funds not currently on deposit with the Credit Union.
- APY= Annual Percentage Yield. APY is subject to change without notice. Freedom Direct Savings will earn 4.20% APY on balances up to $10,000 if the account holder has direct deposit(s) of at least $500.00 to their Freedom Direct Checking Account during a month. Balances over $10,000 will earn 0.150% APY, and all balances in a month when qualifications are not met will earn the standard Share Savings APY starting at 0.100%. One Freedom Direct Savings per Justice Federal membership. Justice Federal reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. See a representative for details.
- Photos will be accepted beginning at 12 a.m. (EST) on May 1, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. (EST) on May 31, 2024.
As seen in the May 2024 issue of American Police Beat magazine.
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