Chuck Canterbury

President Canterbury began his police career in 1978. During his 25-years in law enforcement, he worked in the Patrol Division, the Criminal Investigations Division, and served as the Training Division Supervisor. While serving as Supervisor, he was certified as an Instructor in basic law enforcement, firearms, chemical weapons, and pursuit driving. President Canterbury joined the Fraternal Order of Police in 1984 when he, along with eleven other officers, chartered the Local Coastal Carolina Lodge 12. He served as the Local Lodge President for 13 years, during which time he was instrumental in starting the Lodge Legal Defense Plan, purchasing the first lodge building, and starting the Lodge insurance program. He went on to serve as The South Carolina State Lodge President from 1990 to 1998. During his tenure he was instrumental in establishing the State Lodge lobbying program, initiating the political endorsement program, and implementing the State Lodge Legal Defense Plan. He led the successful effort to hire a full time State Lodge Executive Director to manage these programs. President Canterbury began his service on the National FOP Grand Lodge Executive Board in 1995 when he was elected to the first of three terms as the Second Vice President under then-President Steve Young. In 2001, he was elected Vice President. Following the death of President Young, Chuck began serving as President in January 2003. Since then, President Canterbury has been reelected five times. From the time Chuck served on the Grand Lodge Executive Board, he has worked to expand the police labor movement in the areas of our country that do not have collective bargaining rights. He has driven the expansion of FOP Labor Services to better serve the membership of the FOP. President Canterbury has seen the National Legislative Office become the most influential voice of law enforcement in Washington, DC. Throughout his tenure, improving the quality of life for police officers has been his foremost goal. Chuck was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the Medal of Valor Board. He also serves on our Nation’s Homeland Security Council and as a board member of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. President Canterbury retired in January 2004 from the Horry County Police Department, Conway, South Carolina. Chuck earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Coastal Carolina University. He resides in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and is married to Alice. Chuck’s son is an Officer on the Coastal Carolina Lodge 12 Executive Board and Chuck’s mother was a Charter member of the Lodge.